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HOME Bird name:

Hairy Woodpecker

Picoides villosusOrder: PICIFORMESFamily: Woodpeckers (Picidae)

Breeding Location:

Forests, coniferous



Breeding Type:

Monogamous



Breeding Population:

Fairly common



Egg Color:

White



Number of Eggs:

3 - 6



Incubation Days:

11 - 15



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Cavity lined with chips.



Migration:

Some migrate



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Overview

Hairy Woodpecker: Small woodpecker with black-and-white upperparts, white underparts. Head has red hindcrown patch. Face is white with black stripes.Tail is black with white outer tail feathers. Northwest birds have gray-brown breast, belly, and rump. Bill is long and black. Legs and feet are black.

Range and Habitat

Hairy Woodpecker: Resident from Alaska across Canada south throughout the U.S. to the Gulf of Mexico. Some northern birds migrate south for the winter. Preferred habitats include deciduous forests.

Breeding and Nesting

Hairy Woodpecker: Three to six white eggs are laid in a hole in a tree. Incubation ranges from 11 to 15 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Hairy Woodpecker: Diet consists of insects, especially gypsy moth caterpillars and pupae, spiders, nuts, seeds, and fruits; forages in trees, bushes, brush piles, and canes.

Readily Eats

Suet, Sunflower Seed, Nuts, Sugar Water, Fruit

Vocalization

Hairy Woodpecker: Song is a sharp rattling. When disturbed flutters its wings and utters a "brrrup" or "kweek", or engages in displacement tapping and pecking.

Similar Species

Hairy Woodpecker: Downy Woodpecker is smaller, has proportionally smaller bill, barred outer tail feathers, and different call.

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Copyright © 2005 WBFI Research Foundation Bird database and its related content and media is Copyright (C) 2002 - 2005 Mitch Waite Group All rights reserved.

Family Woodpecker (Picidae)_blue
Species Picoides villosus
Length8.5 - 10.5 Inches
Wingspan16.25 Inches

Hairy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker: Small woodpecker with black-and-white upperparts, white underparts. Head has red hindcrown patch. Face is white with black stripes.Tail is black with white outer tail feathers. Northwest birds have gray-brown breast, belly, and rump. Bill is long and black. Legs and feet are black.

● Song: "brrrrup", "kweek"

● Foraging & Feeding: Hairy Woodpecker: Diet consists of insects, especially gypsy moth caterpillars and pupae, spiders, nuts, seeds, and fruits; forages in trees, bushes, brush piles, and canes.

● Breeding & nesting: Hairy Woodpecker: Three to six white eggs are laid in a hole in a tree. Incubation ranges from 11 to 15 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Hairy Woodpecker: Downy Woodpecker is smaller, has proportionally smaller bill, barred outer tail feathers, and different call.

Flight Pattern

Rapidly beating wings., Undulating flight.
Hairy Woodpecker Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Hairy Woodpecker: Resident from Alaska across Canada south throughout the U.S. to the Gulf of Mexico. Some northern birds migrate south for the winter. Preferred habitats include deciduous forests.
BreedingMonogamous
PopulationFairly common
MigrationSome migrate
Weight2.5 Ounces