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

[Dennis P. Vroman]

Our nw OR/WA Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers are pretty dark and grayish compared to those inland, which have "white-whites;" more contrast to the black and white plumage.

Hairy Woodpeckers tend to forage on a tree's bole (main trunk) more than Downy's, which like the limbs better.  Hairy's tend to like conifers more than Downy's, but both can occur on either tree-type.  Hairy's and Downy's like large Cottonwoods (and you can throw in a few Pileated as well here).

If you do have a Nuttall's in your area...I'm sure someone would love to come look at it.

Good Woodpecker watching, Dennis



  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?


  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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