Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!hao!oddjob!gargoyle!ihnp4!homxb!whuts!picuxa!gp
From: gp@picuxa.UUCP (Greg Pasquariello X1190)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: hairy woodpecker behavior
Message-ID: <434@picuxa.UUCP>
Date: 29 Dec 87 12:53:10 GMT
References: <3187@bcsaic.UUCP> <126@suntri.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T Information Systems, Parsippany NJ
Lines: 18
Summary: Bill length

In article <126@suntri.UUCP>, mclark@suntri.UUCP (Michael Clark ) writes:
> 
> Speaking of Hairy woodpeckers, has anyone found a reliable method of
> telling a Hairy from a Downy, without having one of each present?


The most reliable way to differentiate the two is by the size of the bird,
and the relative bill size.  I realize that size can be a subjective thing,
depending on conditions, the view of the bird, etc.  But the relative bill
size is nearly always reliable.  The downy has a tiny little pin-bill, whereas
the hairy has a large spike.   In addition, although it is hard to see, the
hairy's two (three?) outer tail feathers are pure white, where the downy has 
a couple of black spots on the same feathers.

Hope this helps.


Greg Pasquariello