Talk:Hairy woodpecker

Photo questions
I'm by no means an expert at bird identification, which is why I haven't made a change to this page, but I need to ask - are the pictures of the bird on the suet feeder a hairy woodpecker or a downy woodpecker? Audobon field guide lists the Hairy Woodpecker as 9" and the Downy at 6". Also, the downy has a shorter bill.

Any thoughts? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Vulture19 (talk • contribs) 21:29, 17 January 2009 (UTC)

I've posted a question on the birding forum on whatbird.com - early indication is that it may not be clear. Vulture19 (talk) 21:59, 26 January 2009 (UTC)

Photo question update
The current opinion on the bird species pictured in photos #1 and #2 range from categorical "That's a Downy" to a well reasoned "Here is why it is a Hairy". These opinions have been generated in two different bird enthusiast forums, whatbird.com and birdforum.net.

Regardless as to what species it actually is, it is showing that some of these photos are not providing good reference materials. My current thought is to somehow indicate that these photos are questionable, and to use it as an example of the difficulties in differentiating between the species. Vulture19 (talk) 17:53, 27 January 2009 (UTC)
 * I went ahead and commented out three pictures that consensus on birding forums indicates doesn't provide a good reference.Vulture19 (talk) 06:53, 4 March 2009 (UTC)

I've changed the license on my photo to creative commons, it is welcomed to be used here. Not too sure on how to do it on my own :-) I also have a male Downy here for comparing (please note not all of my photos are open for use) 99.240.128.108 (talk) 19:46, 4 February 2009 (UTC)
 * figured it out, photo added 99.240.128.108 (talk) 20:23, 4 March 2009 (UTC)
 * Thanks - nice pic!Vulture19 (talk) 23:39, 4 March 2009 (UTC)

"Natural Predator"
I am removing the word natural from that phrase as attributed to the Hairy being one of the European Corn Borer. Not sure how a native bird could be a 'natural predator' of a non-native species. I mean, I get that they eat them readily, but you could say that about pretty much any insect... — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2600:1700:D1E0:60E0:25E5:D3B:7FB9:2190 (talk) 22:09, 24 October 2022 (UTC)

Honestly, I am not sure why one particular species is being called out here, either. It doesn't seem relevant, but I leave it to others to decide its worth. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2600:1700:D1E0:60E0:25E5:D3B:7FB9:2190 (talk) 22:11, 24 October 2022 (UTC)

Reference names
If anyone else wants to edit, the references already in the article are:
 * Audubon Field Guide:Eastern Region, named "afg_east"
 * Sibley Field Guide:Eastern region, named "sfg_east" (hmmmm, maybe I should have given them slightly different names....)
 * IUCN website, named "iucn"

Vulture19 (talk) 01:23, 25 March 2009 (UTC)