kyanocitta's Identifications

I just caught a glimpse of far-distant woodpecker. I think I’m seeing a long bill.

Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) COMPARED TO Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) Downy has a much shorter bill

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Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) is a medium-large Woodpecker with a long bill, about 250 mm (9.8 inches) in length with a 380 mm (15 inch) wingspan. Only the Male Hairy Woodpecker has a red hindcrown spot. Hairy Woodpecker has pure white outer tail feathers (whereas Downey Woodpecker has black barrs on white outer tail feathers and has a short stubby bill). There are many subspecies.
Hairy Woodpecker is "common and widespread across North America as far south as western Panama. Black-and-white plumage is nearly identical to the smaller Downy Woodpecker. Focus on the bill: Hairy has a longer bill, about the length of the head. Also look for clean white outer tail feathers. Some variation in color across range; birds in western North America and especially Central America are brownish, with limited white in the wing. Occurs in wooded habitats with large trees. Familiar visitor to backyard feeders, especially fond of suet. Calls include a loud “peek!” and a fast rattle, stronger than Downy Woodpecker."

Ebird with species description, range map and sound recordings: https://ebird.org/species/haiwoo/

National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, ed. Jon L. Dunn, 7th ed., 2017, pp. 314-315.

Xeno-canto Bird songs, sound recordings, and species range map: https://xeno-canto.org/species/Leuconotopicus-villosus

Audubon Guide to North American Birds https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/hairy-woodpecker

Monterey Birds, Don Roberson, 2nd ed. 2002, sponsored by Monterey Peninsula Audubon Society, p. 307.

The Cornell Lab (Birds in U.S. and Canada) https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Hairy_Woodpecker

Merlin Bird ID (great app available for Iphones) by The Cornell Lab (Bird ID help for 8,500+ species) https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

Comprehensive Feather I.D. tools and more: https://foundfeathers.org/resources/

Found Feathers (Worldwide): https://www.fws.gov/lab/featheratlas/idtool.php

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COMPARED TO

Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) is in the Woodpeckers (Picidaea) family. It is the smallest woodpecker in North America at 17cm (less than 7 inches). Only the male has the red spot on back of head. Downey Woodpecker is found in wide variety of habitats, from wilderness areas to second-growth forests to suburban yards, but generally favors riparian habitats and deciduous trees. The bird nests in tree cavities and feeds primarily on insects, although it supplements its diet with seeds and berries. There are several subspecies.

Audubon Guide to North American Birds https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/downy-woodpecker

National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of Western North America, ed. Jon L. Dunn, 7th ed., 2017, pp. 314-315.

Ebird with species description, range map and sound recordings: https://ebird.org/species/dowwoo

Xeno-canto Bird songs, sound recordings, and species range map: https://xeno-canto.org/species/Dryobates-pubescens

Monterey Birds, Don Roberson, 2nd ed. 2002, sponsored by Monterey Peninsula Audubon Society, p. 307.

The Cornell Lab (Birds in U.S. and Canada) https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Downy_Woodpecker/

Merlin Bird ID (great app available for Iphones) by The Cornell Lab (Bird ID help for 8,500+ species) https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

Comprehensive Feather I.D. tools and more: https://foundfeathers.org/resources/

Found Feathers (Worldwide): https://www.fws.gov/lab/featheratlas/idtool.php