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Rick S

Rick S

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Here is a comparison of the relative beak size for Downys vs Hairys in relation to head length. 9/26/24 I don't get the Hairy very often but was blessed to be in the basement when she showed up yesterday.
2024-09-26 Backyard Birds_013-Enhanced-NR.jpg
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2024-09-26 Backyard Birds_046-Enhanced-NR.jpg
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Very nice shots and an interesting comparison. I'm guessing the first is the downy and the second one the hairy. I can't really see the difference in bill size. I even measured the features off the monitor. The first has a bigger tuft and that makes the bill look shorter.
 
Archibald said:
I agree they look different. However, if you do measurements, you see that the ratios are nearly identical for the two birds, except for the tuft.
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This might help clarify:

drypub17.jpg
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dryvil03.jpg
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Downy: shorter bill, dark spots on white tail feathers
Hairy: no spots on white tail feathers, longer bill, also a 'spur' at the shoulder.

These are western birds (California) which have a cinnamon wash on the breast and fewer white spots on the wings vs. eastern birds' white breast & more spots on the wings.
 
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Archibald said:
Very nice shots and an interesting comparison. I'm guessing the first is the downy and the second one the hairy. I can't really see the difference in bill size. I even measured the features off the monitor. The first has a bigger tuft and that makes the bill look shorter.
Click to expand...
Thanks and yes, the Downy is first. As for the beak, generally the Downy's is around half the length of the head front to back and the Hairy's is approximately equal.
 
I'm seeing a plumage spur on the shoulder of the first bird and the bill isn't as dainty as I'd expect for a Downy Woodpecker. Any photos that included the tail?
 
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Doug Herr said:
I'm seeing a plumage spur on the shoulder of the first bird and the bill isn't as dainty as I'd expect for a Downy Woodpecker. Any photos that included the tail?
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Here are full shots of both. The Downy was on a different stick for this one and different angle, but same one.
2024-09-26 Backyard Birds_010-Enhanced-NR.jpg
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2024-09-26 Backyard Birds_043-Enhanced-NR.jpg
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Great ID photos! The tail spots on the first bird confirm Downy, lack of tail spots on the second confirm Hairy.
 
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