California - Woodpecker ID Help, please (1 Viewer)

[Hockey.Lover]

I took this photo today at Vasona Lake Park in Los Gatos (SF Bay Area). When I saw the woodpecker fly in, it was quite a distance away and my camera just couldn't capture a clear shot. I thought it was a Hairy Woodpecker, but a birder that was at the same location told me it was a Downy. She said that Hairy Woodpeckers prefer conifers. I didn't doubt her since she surely seemed to know more about birds than I...we were there looking at a vagrant Solitary Sandpiper.

Looking at the photos, it looks bigger and appears to have a longer bill. Can anyone confirm that this is a Hairy and not a Downy for me? I know I have previously asked about a Downy vs. Hairy Woodpecker and it does seem to look like the latter.


Thank you so much!

Gail

 

[fugl]

Judging by bill length and absence of barring on tail, I would say Hairy.

 

[Gentoo]

Hairy for me too

 

[Hockey.Lover]

Oh that is excellent! Thank you both very much for answering my question!