From Opus

Picoides villosus

Photo by Marcel Gauthier
Male
Location: Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, Canada

[edit] Identification

Males have a red patch on the back of the head. Females lack this red patch. Juvenile and second year birds have red feathers in the crown. The male usually has a more extensive covering of red feathers than the female.

[edit] Separating from Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker has a proportionately larger bill that is about the same length as the head.
Downy Woodpecker has a much smaller, stubbier bill.

Hairy Woodpecker lacks dark markings on its outer tail feathers that the Downy has. (This field mark is less useful in the Northwest where darker races of both species exist and these marks are usually present)

[edit] Distribution

Nearly universal in North America. In the east north to southern Canada, in the west north to southern Alaska. Also found in the mountains of Mexico and Central America south to Panama.

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Habitat

[edit] Voice

Descending rattle: kekekekekekeke... A bit lower than Downy Woodpecker (but very similar)

[edit] Behaviour

Diet includes insects, berries and acorns.

[edit] Nesting

Both sexes excavate a cavity in live wood. 3 to 6 eggs are incubated by both parents. Males brood the eggs at night, and females during the day. Eggs hatch in about 14 days, and young birds leave the cavity in about a month. Young birds will accompany adults for the first two weeks or so before they become independent.

[edit] External Links