Backyard and Beyond

Every winter I think I’m not going to see a Hairy Woodpecker. Here’s a recent male (above) in Prospect Park.

And here is a female in Green-Wood.

Here’s a male Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) for comparison. These are more frequently seen here, so I always have to do a double-take to make sure I know what’s what. Here’s a handy guide to telling them apart. I usually look to the bill length.

But here’s a view of of the distinctive black spotting on the outer tail feathers of the Downy. No spots on the white on the Hairy.