Name this bird?

[Tailgunner]

I ran across this guy/gal on the balcony yesterday and couldn't place it.

Taken in Dallas Texas if that helps.

 

[dxqcanada]

Hmm, looks like a female Downy Woodpecker.

 

[Tailgunner]

Hmm, looks like a female Downy Woodpecker.

Interesting, The closest thing I came across was a Ladder Backed Woodpecker?

Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1

 

[dxqcanada]

Hmm, you could be right ... I am not that familiar with southern birds.

 

[kundalini]

My field guide is for birds of the Carolinas, but I would hazard a guess that it is a Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) if it is ~6" head to tail. Slightly larger at ~9" is the Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus).

In my backyard.....

Male

Female

 

[Tailgunner]

Hmm, you could be right ... I am not that familiar with southern birds.

I couldn't tell ya either, I'm originally from West Texas and trees and woodpeckers is the last thing you think of when you think West Texas lol

 

[sm4him]

I've never actually SEEN a ladderback, so I can't really say for certain, but it doesn't look like what I'm seeing listed for them. I'd say it's a female Downy. They have that white streak on the back and the short little bill.
I could be wrong, but I don't *think* the ladderback has the white streak on the back, and from the photos above, that bill looks a little short. Plus, I think the Ladderback--if it doesn't have red on its crown--seems to have more of a black crest than just a streak. I can't tell for sure, but this one doesn't *look* like it's got all that much black on its crown.

Look here and then search the same site for Ladderback Woodpecker and compare.

 

[sm4him]

My field guide is for birds of the Carolinas, but I would hazard a guess that it is a Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) if it is ~6" head to tail. Slightly larger at ~9" is the Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus).

In my backyard.....

Male

Female

The Hairy Woodpecker also has a much longer bill than this one. If it looks like the photos above, but its bill is about as long as its head, it's likely a Hairy Woodpecker.

 

[Tailgunner]

My field guide is for birds of the Carolinas, but I would hazard a guess that it is a Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) if it is ~6" head to tail. Slightly larger at ~9" is the Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus).

This dude/dudett is/was 6-7" tops.

Anyhow, s/he does seem to resemble a Downy Woodpecker more.