BIRD INDEX
Hairy Woodpecker
Leuconotopicus villosus
Start with these clues
Look for a straight bill that projects well beyond the face.
- Relative size
- Medium
- Look around
- Trees
- Region and season
- Widespread but local, often where larger trees are available.
Compare carefully
Downy Woodpecker usually has a much shorter bill.
A photograph shows one individual and one view. Check several features, the date and a regional guide before settling on an identification.
Read the Audubon species account for fuller range, behavior and identification context.
What to check first
- Check the bill in profile. It often projects nearly as far as the head is long.
- A branch can hide the bill tip, and distance makes size hard to judge. Wait for a clear profile before using the bill-to-head comparison.