We have both downy and hairy woodpeckers regularly at our feeder.  The last few days we have had one hairy that looks very different from any I have seen before.  All the feathers that are usually white, instead are a sort of orangey rusty brown color.  Has anyone else seen this?  Sibley shows the Pacific race of Hairy Woodpeckers with this coloration, but that hardly seems likely.  Can diet affect the color of woodpecker feathers?

Joanne Norton
Kendal at Hanover




"Rusty" woodpecker
 


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