Bird identification should be easier. Once again I have photographed a bird and I am not sure of its identity. I am confident that it is a woodpecker, but beyond that, doubts begin to creep in and none of the pictures in my identification guide really match the bird in my photos.
The woodpecker is a lot bigger than the Downy Woodpeckers that I frequently see, but smaller than the Pileated Woodpeckers that I see less often. The black-and-white pattern on its back seems different from any that I have seen before. In some of the photos, I detect a little bit of red just above the bill, especially in the last image.
So what is it? Well, if I were to hazard a guess, I’d say it might be an immature Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius).
I’d welcome assistance from more experienced birders in identifying my mystery woodpecker.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Could be a hairy woodpecker.
That makes sense too, Victor. They are definitely bigger than Downy Woodpeckers, but I am not sure if the pattern on the back of this one matches the Hairy Woodpecker. Identification is a challenge for me frequently.
Any sign of Rails at Huntley?
No sign of Rails. There is the hope that all of the work that was done at the park will cause them to reappear, but I haven’t yet spotted any.
I can’t be of much help, I’m afraid. I have enough trouble trying to identify plants.
Nice pictures, Mike. My first thought was Hairy, too (fairly common, bigger than Downy), but I’m pretty sure you’re correct – it’s a female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (white throat, long white stripe on the side).
Hi Mike: I’d say you’re right on with immature YBSA. Hairy and Downy wouldn’t show red on the forehead. I’d expect an adult female YBSA to have a full red crown, and a male to have a red crown and red throat patch.