Thursday, May 14, 2015

What Kind of Woodpecker is This?

?
I have a request from any "bird people". What is this?  It is a little smaller than a Hairy Woodpecker, and I've never seen one with red under the bill.  None of my bird books or my iBirds app show any woodpecker with red under the bill so I'm confused. The face striping is similar to a Pileated Woodpecker, but it is much smaller, and the tuff on the top of the head is not there.  Could it be a young Pileated?

It loves to sound on this metal mailbox bottom - you can hear it from 1/4 mile away.

Here is another view:

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I did get an answer (in fact, a bunch of them).  It is a yellow bellied sapsucker.  Thanks to all...

Until next time...

2 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. If I was in the West, I'd agree with you, but the Red Naped Sapsucker doesn't live here in the East. A couple of birders suggested that it is a Male Yellow Bellied Sapsucker, which does live in this part of the country. Thanks for the suggestion!

      Delete