Here is a link to some photos in an ebird checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S26150554. eBird version 2016 (v.?) While both downy and hairy woodpecker adult males have a red patch on the back of the head, fledglings have red on top instead. Downy’s voices are higher and softer and dip down in tone at the end.
A few years ago I was alerted to a subtle difference in the head patterns of Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers when I read a short note by Mark Szantyr with a nod to Julian Hough in the journal The Connecticut Warbler. Avibase taxonomic concepts (current) (v.?) The woodpeckers most likely to be seen in Oakland County now are the Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and if you live in the northern part of the county or near a mature woodland elsewhere, the Pileated Woodpecker, a red-crested giant. Bird had possible spur on neck (normally Hairy).6. ), Avibase has been visited 312,027,019 times since 24 June 2003. A simple reference is to compare them to the sizes of a robin (Hairy) and a house sparrow (Downy). Apparent Downy × Hairy Woodpecker photographed on 15 May 2014 at Lamar Community College, Prowers County, Colorado. Order: Piciformes
Body size seemed slightly smaller than that of an average Hairy, but still WAY too big for Downy.2. He pointed out that Downy Woodpecker has a larger white patch on the sides of … A new clue for identifying Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers Read More » eBird version 2018 (v.?) Enter your login name or your email address and click on Send reminder to receive a reminder by email. We then saw the dark wings and became excited about the bird being a Rocky Mountain Hairy. Highlights From a Backyard Bird Feeder I am pretty sure this is a hairy woodpecker along with a downy woodpecker on my bird feeder. On average, a Hairy is roughly 3 inches larger than a Downy. Voice sounded most like that of Hairy.4. giving a rattle call that sounded much like that of a Hairy Woodpecker. Steve found this bird with Nick Moore and he takes up the story: "We first noticed this bird because it flew towards us Sometimes, especially on young hairy woodpeckers, the patch is … 3. Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 06 (Feb 2018) (v.?) eBird version 2019 (v.? There are a few ways by which you can help the development of this page, such as joining the Flickr group for photos or providing translations of the site in addition languages. The cheek pattern looks like (but not quite the same as) that of a Hairy.Although we cannot rule out the possibility the bird is an abnormal member of one of the species, the mixed pattern of characteristics seems to favor the possibility that the bird is a hybrid. The supercilium and white stripe below the auriculars are both on the narrow side, more like a montane Hairy than either Rocky Mountain or Eastern Downy. Just after they leave the nest, young downy and hairy woodpeckers can be confusing at first. Genus: null, Scientific: Dryobates pubescens x Leuconotopicus villosus, Short link: https://avibase.ca/6C469C9B. Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 04 (Aug 2016) (v.?) Highlight taxa in a checklist (shown in red)
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 07 (Feb 2020) (v.?) Downy Woodpecker x Hairy Woodpecker hybrid, Lamar Community College, Prowers County (Colorado, USA), 15th May 2014 - copyright. Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 05 (Jan 2017) (v.?) Bill was REALLY SMALL for a Hairy even a bit too small for Downy.3. eBird version 2015 (v.?) The head shape was usually flattish, more like that of a Hairy. Here is my friend's description:1. eBird version 2017 (v.?) Perhaps a Rocky Mountain Hairy wandered down to the lowlands and bred with an eastern Downy (there was a montane Hairy at Van's Grove, Bent County, well into May last year - and again this year). Hairy’s are louder, more shrill and keep the same pitch. I guess the bill may look smaller than it was in the photo as a result of the head being turned slightly away, but even so...May I add your photo to the main thread? Authorities recognizing this taxonomic concept: You must be logged in to view your sighting details. This blog is a collaborative project intended to improve understanding of bird hybrids and to be a resource for anyone interested in bird hybrids. Hopefully it will generate some more feedback then, perhaps. The Hairy prefers towering trees and deeper woods, while the Downy will settle for baby birches and cattails. Downy x Hairy Woodpecker (hybrid) ( Picoides [pubescens x villosus]) Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 04 (Aug 2016): Downy x Hairy Woodpecker (hybrid) ( Picoides [pubescens x villosus]) Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 05 (Jan 2017): Downy x Hairy Woodpecker (hybrid) ( Picoides [pubescens x villosus]) To register to myAvibase click here. Then we looked at the beak, and well, it was in between that of Downy and Hairy (probably more like Downy). © Denis Lepage |
Lastly, it’s important to note that the Downy Woodpecker is much more abundant than its Hairy counterpart, especially in suburbia. I was with some friends in the Oregon Coast range and we saw a bird that we are pretty sure was this hybrid. Each checklist can be viewed with photos shared by the birding community, and also printed as PDF checklists for field use. In this image, the intermediacy of the bill size can be seen as well as the relatively small nasal tufts. APPARENT HYBRID DOWNY WOODPECKER × HAIRY WOODPECKER Figure 1. There are more than 20,000 regional checklists in Avibase, offered in 9 different taxonomies, including synonyms more than 175 languages. Thanks Jacob and sorry for the slow response. Hairy Woodpecker PEHart / Flickr / CC by-SA 2.0 Range: Both these woodpecker species have extensive ranges covering most of North America.The hairy woodpecker’s range is slightly greater, however, and they can be found in Mexico as well, while downy woodpeckers are absent in the Southwest and Mexico. Bird had barred outer tail feathers (typical of Downy).5. Downy Woodpecker x Hairy Woodpecker hybrid (same bird as in photo ID 1582 above), Lamar Community College, Prowers County (Colorado, USA), 15th May 2014 - copyright Steve Mlodinow (photo IDs: 1578-1581) Privacy policy, Bird checklists - taxonomy - distribution - maps - links. Downy’s have a softer voice . MyAvibase allows you to create and manage your own lifelists, and produce useful reports to help you plan your next birding excursion. 4. none
Given the Hairy Woodpecker like calls, the barred undertail, the intermediate size (as judged by us in field, more like Hairy Woodpecker) and bill, and the Rocky Mountain Hairy Woodpecker like head pattern... it seems that Hairy Woodpecker x Downy Woodpecker seems the correct diagnosis.".