About the Hairy Woodpecker
The hairy woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker that is found over a large area of North America. It is approximately 250 mm (9.8 in) in length with a 380 mm (15 in) wingspan. With an estimated population in 2020 of almost nine million individuals, the hairy woodpecker is listed by the IUCN as a species of least concern. The species was previously placed in the genus Dryobates.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
Adults are mainly black on the upper parts and wings, with a white or pale back and white spotting on the wings; the throat and belly vary from white to sooty brown, depending on subspecies. There is a white bar above and one below the eye. They have a black tail with white outer feathers. Adult males have a red patch or two side-by-side patches on the back of the head; juvenile males have red or rarely orange-red on the crown. The hairy woodpecker measures from 18–26 cm (7.1–10.2 in) in length, 33–43 cm (13–17 in) in wingspan and 40–95 g (1.4–3.4 oz) in weight.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Hairy Woodpecker sounds like
Where the Hairy Woodpecker lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in France.
When to see the Hairy Woodpecker
Peak activity in May · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
White-headed WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus albolarvatusIt has a black body (approximately 20 cm (7.9 in) long) and white head.
Smoky-brown WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus fumigatusThe smoky-brown woodpecker is about 18 cm (7.1 in) long and weighs 31 to 50 g (1.1 to 1.8 oz).
Arizona WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus arizonaeArizona woodpeckers are nearly identical to Strickland's woodpeckers, growing to be about 7 to 8 inches (18 to 20 cm) in length.
Learn the Hairy Woodpecker in BeakBrain
Photo and call practice, free in any browser.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.