Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)

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Photo by HeatherMiller

Published on Project Noah

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33.7748, -84.2963

Field Notes

Description:

This was the smallest Woodpecker I've seen. Based on the smaller red patch on the head, I'm thinking this is an adult female Red-bellied or a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker??? UPDATE: Those in the know, suggest a Downy Woodpecker, Male. Thank you for the ID suggestions folks.!!!

Habitat:

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a similar species, and I see the black eye patch in some of the pictures. But according to the Cornell website, Georgia is NOT the summer grounds. Any ideas or thoughts are welcome. I have more pictures of different angles, but most are out of focus, but do show a black spot around the eye. In none of the pictures, do I see a red chin.

Notes:

compare with
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-bellied_Sapsucker/id
vs
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/red-bellied_woodpecker/id

Reference Links:

Downy Woodpecker, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Species ID Suggestions