Birds diurnal

Hairy Woodpecker

Leuconotopicus villosus

A powerful and focused percussionist of the forest, the Hairy Woodpecker is a striking sight with its bold black-and-white plumage and its impressive, chisel-like bill.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 7.1–10.2 in (18–26 cm), Wingspan: 13–16.1 in (33–41 cm), Weight: 1.4–3.4 oz (40–95 g)

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Colors

Contrast heavy black and white plumage; solid white patch down the back; males have a small red patch on the back of the head.

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Key Features

Long, chisel-like bill nearly the length of its head
Large white patch running down the center of the back
Outer tail feathers are pure white
Bold black and white facial stripes

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

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Season Year-round; most visible at feeders during winter months.

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Diet Primarily insectivorous, targeting wood-boring beetle larvae, ants, and caterpillars. They also supplement their diet with sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet at backyard feeders.

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Habitat Mature deciduous and coniferous forests, woodlots, and suburban areas with large, established trees.

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Behavior

The Hairy Woodpecker is a focused and industrious forager, often seen hitching up the trunks of mature trees. It uses its stiff tail feathers as a tripod for stability while it hammers into the bark with powerful, rhythmic strikes. While it shares many habits with the smaller Downy Woodpecker, the Hairy is typically more cautious and tends to favor the deeper interior of woods or larger trees in suburban landscapes.

Socially, they are usually seen alone or in pairs. During the spring, their presence is announced by a rapid, booming drum against hollow wood, which serves as both a territorial warning and a mating call. In flight, they follow a characteristic undulating path, flapping their wings for a burst of height and then tucking them against their sides for a brief glide.

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Camera Tips

To capture high-quality footage of a Hairy Woodpecker, placement is everything. These birds are vertical specialists, so mount your camera 5 to 7 feet high on the trunk of a mature tree, or aim it directly at a vertical suet feeder. Because they are larger and more powerful than many common backyard birds, ensure your feeder or camera mount is secure; their vigorous drumming can cause significant camera shake if the mounting surface isn't stable.

Lighting can be a challenge with this species due to their high-contrast feathers. The bright white stripe on their back can easily overexpose in direct sunlight, losing all detail. Position your camera to face North or South to avoid the harsh glare of the rising or setting sun, and try to utilize the natural shade of the tree canopy to keep the lighting even. This will help you see the individual barbs on the feathers and the subtle red patch on the male's nape.

If you are using a trail camera with adjustable settings, prioritize a fast trigger speed and high-frame-rate video. Hairy Woodpeckers move with quick, jerky motions and their head-drumming is faster than the human eye can track. A video setting of at least 30fps (or 60fps if available) will allow you to see their foraging technique in slow motion. Using "Burst Mode" for photos is also highly recommended to ensure you catch that perfect moment when the bird's head is still between strikes.

Attracting them for the camera is easiest with high-quality suet. While they will visit standard suet cages, you can get more "natural" shots by drilling small holes into a log and stuffing them with suet or peanut butter. This encourages the woodpecker to forage in a way that looks wild, providing a more authentic wildlife photography experience than a bird clinging to a plastic or wire cage.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Hairy Woodpecker.

Downy Woodpecker

Much smaller in size with a petite bill that is significantly shorter than the length of its head.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Has a zebra-striped back rather than a solid white patch, and a red cap that extends further forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hairy Woodpeckers are most active during the daylight hours, with peak foraging activity occurring in the early morning and late afternoon. They are often among the first birds to visit suet feeders once the sun comes up.

The best way to attract them is by offering high-energy suet, особенно during the winter. They are also fond of whole peanuts and black oil sunflower seeds. Maintaining mature trees or leaving dead 'snags' on your property provides them with natural nesting and foraging sites.

Their diet is roughly 75% insects, specifically wood-boring beetle larvae, ants, and moth pupae. The remaining 25% consists of fruits, nuts, and seeds, which makes them frequent visitors to backyard bird feeders.

Yes, they are common in suburbs as long as there are plenty of large, mature trees available. They are slightly less common in open, treeless suburban developments compared to their smaller cousin, the Downy Woodpecker.

The best way to tell them apart is the bill: a Hairy Woodpecker's bill is nearly the same length as its head, while a Downy's bill is much shorter. Additionally, Hairy Woodpeckers are significantly larger and lack the black spots on their white outer tail feathers that Downies usually have.

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