Didn't we do this with Toucan Sam about a year ago
(mostly Toco)?

The best way to get to species with a cartoon character
is to find the original earliest known versions. Woody
dates to about 1940. He has always had a bright red head
with rackish top-knot, and blue or black body. Early
cartoons show a red belly, but most show a white belly.
Like most cartoon characters, Woody is a composite (hybrid)
of fieldmarks: a little bit Ivory-billed, a little bit
Sapsucker, but mostly Red-headed Woodpecker.

Walter Lantz claimed the character was inspired by a
woodpecker that interupted his honeymoon at a lakeside
cabin by banging on the walls... most likely a flicker.

http://www.toonopedia.com/woody.htm
http://www.toontracker.com/woody/woody.htm

ian paulsen wrote:
>
> HI ALL:
> The question has been asked by a non-birder wondering what kind of
> woodpecker Woody Woodpecker is?
>
> Ian Paulsen
> Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
> ipaulsen at krl.org
> A.K.A.: "Birdbooker"
> "Rallidae all the way"

--
Mike Patterson When I despair, I remember
Astoria, OR that all through history
celata at pacifier.com the way of truth and love have always won.
There have been tyrants, and murderers,
and for a time they can seem invincible,
but in the end they always fall.
Think of it...always.
- Mahatma Gandhi

http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/bird.html