NCRS - The Changing Midwest Assessment

The Hairy Woodpecker, Picoides villosus, is a member of the Family Picidae (Woodpeckers). It is a medium-sized black and white woodpecker with a fairly long bill, mostly black head that is off set by broad white supercilium and lower border to auriculars. The male has a red spot at the read of the head. It has black nape, white back, black wings with spotting on coverts and flight feathers, white under parts, black rump, and a black tail with white outer tail feathers. Among the several black and white woodpeckers that are similar in appearance, it is most similar to Downy Woodpecker, which differs only in its smaller size, proportionally smaller bill, barred outer tail feathers, and different call.

The Hairy Woodpecker is a permanent resident that breeds in woodland habitat. It is a cavity nester with a diet consisting primarily on insects, and lesser quantities of fruit. Identification and life history data compiled by Gregory Gough, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i3930id.html