hairy woodpecker

1. Bird Name
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)

2. Appearance
The Hairy Woodpecker is a striking bird with mainly black and white coloration. Their back, wings, and tail are predominantly black, with white underparts. They have a distinctive black ‘mask’ around their eyes and a long, pointed beak. Their head is adorned with bold, white stripes and two red patches at the back, indicative of the males. Females lack the distinctive red patches.

3. Size
The Hairy Woodpecker measures approximately 18-26 cm (7.1–10.2 inches) in length. Their wingspan ranges around 33-41 cm (approximately 13-16 inches), and they tend to weigh between 40 and 95 grams, depending on the subspecies.

4. Habitat & Distribution
Widely distributed across North America, the Hairy Woodpecker inhabits mature deciduous forests, mixed forests, plantations, parklands, and suburban backyards. They can adapt to various habitats from Alaska and Canada down to Central America.

5. Interesting Facts
-Hairy Woodpeckers have a unique drumming style where they rapidly peck on tree trunks, signalling their presence to potential mates and rivals.
-Their long, barbed tongue, which can extend three times the length of their bill, aids in extracting insects from tree barks.
-They’re known to benefit humans by controlling pest population by preying on insects infesting trees.

6. Diet
Hairy Woodpeckers primarily feed on insects, especially beetle larvae hidden inside trees. They also consume fruits, berries, nuts, and seeds. At times, they visit bird feeders for suet and sunflower seeds.

7. Behavior & Sounds
The flight style of Hairy Woodpeckers is undulating, replete with repeated patterns of flapping and gliding. Their vocal repertoire includes a sharp “peek” sound and a shrill, fast-paced “whinny” call that descends in pitch.

8. Conservation Status
The Hairy Woodpecker is currently categorized as ‘Least Concern’ according to the IUCN Red List. However, habitat loss due to deforestation could pose a threat in the future.

9. Lifespan
The lifespan of a Hairy Woodpecker is typically around 7-10 years in the wild, though some can live up to 15 years. In captivity, lifespan information is limited because they are not commonly kept as pets or in aviaries.

10. Additional Notes
– In Spanish, the Hairy Woodpecker is known as “Pájaro Carpintero Velloso.”
– Hairy Woodpeckers are territorial and tend to defend their space aggressively against intruding species, including humans.
– They play a pivotal role in the ecosystem as they control insect populations and assist in the decomposition process by breaking down dead trees.

Despite the ‘Hairy’ tag in their name, the term doesn’t refer to any hairy-like feathering, but it originates from the long bristles covering the nostrils, a feature that differentiates them from their very similar-looking cousin, the Downy Woodpecker. The Hairy Woodpecker’s affinity for insects makes them an integral part of a balanced ecosystem, reinforcing the utter need for their conservation.