Question about Downy Woodpeckers?

Question

Sorry to put this in pets, but not sure where else it goes.. Anyway i commonly have downy woodpeckers at my feeders but lately have notice a bird that looks just like a downy, but its dk. brown and black, not white and black. I would like to know, is this a juvenile downy? or is there another type of similar woodpecker? I have pictures if anyone needs. thanks :)

Additional Details

I'm from Western NY (buffalo area). here are a link to some pictures..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/m…
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/m…
and here's the back of it
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/m…

and heres a pic of my "normal" downys, the markings look identical to me? its just the color thats odd. and he wasnt just "dirty" b/c he/she visits often and is always brown.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/m…

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Based on plumage,bill size, and location, this is a Downy Woodpecker. There are many records of Downy and Hairy woodpeckers stained from tannins in the bark of trees that they forage on. I have seen both these species that look odd but can really be no other species.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

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Answer 2

Wouldn't be a downy - these are still black & white as juveniles: http://www.backyardbirdcam.com/gallery/w…

As a guess, I's say either a juvenile yellow-bellied sapsucker or a brown creeper:
http://www.backyardbirdcam.com/gallery/s…
http://www.backyardbirdcam.com/gallery/c…

If these aren't correct, please post a photo & give an idea of geographic location.

Answer 3

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Agree with Birdgirl.

Looks like a filthy Downy to me too. If the coloration is not natural to this individual, it may have lit on a tree and rubbed off some oxides.

Doesn't have the strong wingbars to be a sapsucker.
.

Source(s):

Me:Orthithologist

Answer 4

Maybe a Nuttal's Woodpecker, they do not have the white spot on the back like the Downys do. They are usually black and white, but I have seen individuals who have looked very brown to me, espcecially in the sunlight. Here are a couples pictures. This woodpecker is commonly found in the same areas as Downy woodpeckers. Actually it is a little more common than the Downy as well.


http://www.cco.caltech.edu/~feenstra/eat…
http://montereybirdingadventures.com/Ima…

Okay just looked at the photos...I'd say it is just a brownish looking Downy...they are the only woodpecker with that obviously white patch on the back.

Answer 5

There are 2 types of downy wood peckers i have several of both here in Iowa .I'm not sure the what the biological names are I always just called them greater and lesser Downy's

Answer 6

I had a good article with photos of all the native woodpeckers but I can't find it, but, we too have two that look very much alike
I'm pretty sure that the other one is the Hairy Woodpecker

Answer 7

Sounds like it could be a sapsucker -- put up a link to a pic and let's see...

Answer 8

I seems to be an oddly colored downy woodpecker, tough there usually isn't to much variation some oddballs do pop up here and there. Could be erythrism; basically it is basically an excess of reddish brown pigment or odd genetics.
Actually looks a lot like the one at this link http://www.cbs.umn.edu/~mou/temp/odd_dow…