Question about Downy Woodpeckers?

Question

Sorry to put this in pets, but not sure where else it goes.. Anyway i commonly have downy woodpeckers at my feeders but lately have notice a bird that looks just like a downy, but its dk. brown and black, not white and black.  I would like to know, is this a juvenile downy? or is there another type of similar woodpecker?  I have pictures if anyone needs. thanks :)

PRBOSNPL · Accepted Answer

Based on plumage,bill size, and location, this is a Downy Woodpecker. There are many records of Downy and Hairy woodpeckers stained from tannins in the bark of trees that they forage on. I have seen both these species that look odd but can really be no other species.

Anonymous · Answer

Maybe a Nuttal's Woodpecker, they do not have the white spot on the back like the Downys do.  They are usually black and white, but I have seen individuals who have looked very brown to me, espcecially in the sunlight.  Here are a couples pictures.  This  woodpecker is commonly found in the same areas as Downy woodpeckers. Actually it is a little more common than the Downy as well.


http://www.cco.caltech.edu/~feenstra/eaton/NuttalsWood_Eaton.JPG
http://montereybirdingadventures.com/Images/nuttal'swoodpecker.JPG

Okay just looked at the photos...I'd say it is just a brownish looking Downy...they are the only woodpecker with that obviously white patch on the back.

crazy.carabid · Answer

I seems to be an oddly colored downy woodpecker, tough there usually isn't to much variation some oddballs do pop up here and there. Could be erythrism; basically it is basically an excess of reddish brown pigment or odd genetics. 
Actually looks a lot like the one at this link http://www.cbs.umn.edu/~mou/temp/odd_downy.html

Icteridae · Answer

.
Agree with Birdgirl.

Looks like a filthy Downy to me too. If the coloration is not natural to this individual, it may have lit on a tree and rubbed off some oxides.

Doesn't have the strong wingbars to be a sapsucker.
.

dollars2burn4u · Answer

There are 2 types of downy  wood peckers i have several of both here in Iowa .I'm not sure the what the biological names are I always just called them greater and lesser Downy's

copperhead · Answer

Wouldn't be a downy - these are still black & white as juveniles:  http://www.backyardbirdcam.com/gallery/woodpecker-downy-juv.htm

As a guess, I's say either a juvenile yellow-bellied sapsucker or a brown creeper:
http://www.backyardbirdcam.com/gallery/sapsucker-yellow-imm.htm
http://www.backyardbirdcam.com/gallery/creeper-brown.htm

If these aren't correct, please post a photo & give an idea of geographic location.

Loollea · Answer

I had a good article with photos of all the native woodpeckers but I can't find it, but, we too have two that look very much alike
I'm pretty sure that the other one is the Hairy Woodpecker

not_mn_nice · Answer

Sounds like it could be a sapsucker -- put up a link to a pic and let's see...

Trending News

Question about Downy Woodpeckers?

8 Answers