[obol] Nuttall's Woodpeckers in W. Oregon?

[Brandon Green]

The white facial markings on this one were definitely darker than either a Downy or Hairy.  And there were definitely spots on the under-side.  It was definitely not a Downy, as I seem them daily.  I've never seen a Hairy on this side of the Rockies before but, from what I know, they're like larger Downies with much longer beaks.  It looked somewhat similar to a Ladder-Backed (although maybe not as spotted on the back), but those are WAY out of range here, no?

Could it have been a juvenile Hairy?  It appeared to be roughly the same size.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a good look at it's beak length, as it was hamering away at the tree trunk and was partially-obscured by branches.

It's times like this that I really wish I had a camera with better zoom capabilities.  :(

-Brandon


----- Original Message ----
From: pamela johnston <pamelaj at spiritone.com>
To: Brandon Green <bjgreen34 at yahoo.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 3, 2006 11:02:29 AM
Subject: Re: [obol] Nuttall's Woodpeckers in W. Oregon?



 
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I doubt Nuttall's but can't speak about records. I 
looked at birdnotes.net and got it as an Jackson Co species. 

 

The Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers in the Pacific 
states are not white-breasted compared to eastern subsp., but are grey. Male 
Hairies in full breeding plumage have a rusty cast to the upper chest. 


 

I don't know about your yard of course, in terms of 
the likelihood of Hairy, but sorting Hairy from Downy is hard without 
good views and a sense of scale. The beak length (and pointy-ness) relative 
to the depth of the head and the lack on fluff at the base of the beak are 
best clues when you don't hear calls.

 

Pam Johnston



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