On Thu, 2 Jan 1997, rtylor wrote:

> First, can someone please recommend a good field guide to identification? I
> have the "Golden" guide to birds of N. America; there must be something
> better, that's affordable. I'd appreciate your suggestions.

Always a tough question. Our family's answer was to slowly collect them
all...gives you the best range of examples of variation in plumage. A
little pricey, maybe. I especially like the National Geographic guide,
and the new Stokes guides are really beautiful, too.

> I had a woodpecker that I can't find in the book at the suet. It was a
> couple of inches larger than a Downy (who are common here) with very similar
> coloring and markings on its wings and back. But its whole head and face
> were bright red (no crest.) I think its beak was dark. Sorry, that's the
> best description I can come up with. Any ideas?

Sounds like a Red-breasted Sapsucker to me...check the bird out again if
he comes back around and see if that helps.

-Pat
scott931 at uidaho.edu