Hairy Woodpecker

Picoides villosusOrder: PICIFORMESFamily: Woodpeckers (Picidae)

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.

Listen:

Voice Text

"brrrrup", "kweek"

Hairy Woodpecker

● 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.

● 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

Field Guide to Birds of North America