Summary ⁶

The Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) is a medium-sized woodpecker, averaging approximately 250 mm (9.8 in) in length with a 380 mm (15 in) wingspan. With an estimated population in 2003 of over nine million individuals, the Hairy Woodpecker is listed by the IUCN as a species of least concern in North America.

Distribution ⁷

This woodpecker ranges from Alaska to Newfoundland south from northern Mexico to Florida (Palmer and Fowler 1975). Some northern residents migrate south during the winter (Farrand, Jr. 1988), being found in Guatamala, Costa Rica, and Panama (Winkler et al. 1995).

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )

Morphology ⁸

This bird is approximately 16.5 to 26.7 cm. long. It has a wingspan of 44.5 cm., a tail length of 10.2 cm. and a bill length of 3.4 cm. Black and white streakings or checkerings are evident on the wings. Outer tail feathers are white and do not have black markings. On the male, there is a red patch on the back of the head, black crown, and black eye mask and nape of the neck. The female lacks the red patch. There is also white on the chest, abdomen, back, and rump. (Peterson 1967, Palmer and Fowler 1975, Winkler et al. 1995). Young birds may have red on their crown (Farrand, Jr. 1988).

Range mass: 84.5 to 85.5 g.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Diagnostic description ⁹

Differs from the downy woodpecker in larger size (average length 24 cm vs. 17 cm), larger bill (about as long as head vs. obviously shorter than head), absence of black bars or spots on outer tail feathers (downy generally has spots), and sharper call note (peek! vs. pik). Differs from three-toed and black-backed woodpeckers in lacking dark barring on the sides (may be present on flanks of juveniles).

Habitat ¹⁰

This woodpecker is found in forested areas, especially where dead trees are standing. Individual's range is a few acres (Palmer and Fowler 1975). In the northwestern to the western United States, Hairy Woodpeckers are found in douglas fir/western hemlock forests, open juniper woodland, and in riparian forests. In the eastern United States, the Hairy Woodpecker is found in all types of forests. In the tropics, this woodpecker is found in the mountains to a maximum of 3400 m in Panama (Winkler et al. 1995). This bird also frequents gardens and residential areas (Farrand, Jr. 1988)

Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; mountains

Migration ¹¹

Non-Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species do not make significant seasonal migrations. Juvenile dispersal is not considered a migration.

Locally Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

Northernmost breeding populations partially migratory. May migrate between higher and lower elevations in mountainous regions.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Gavan Watson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/34259482@N00/471754562
2. (c) Arthur Chapman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6685071457_6455fb3db1_o.jpg
3. (c) Mdf, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Picoides-villosus-002.jpg/460px-Picoides-villosus-002.jpg
4. (c) Wikimedia Commons, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Spechte_3_db.jpg/460px-Spechte_3_db.jpg
5. (c) Mdf, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/Picoides-villosus-001.jpg/460px-Picoides-villosus-001.jpg
6. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picoides_villosus
7. (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31415766
8. (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31415768
9. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28824138
10. (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31415767
11. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28824141

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• VertNet
• Xeno-canto

Range Map

(c) Discover Life and original sources, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC-SA)

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