Hairy Woodpecker
Leuconotopicus villosus
About This Species
Look and listen for this woodpecker on mature tree trunks in deciduous and mixed forest, where it hitches up bark searching for insect larvae and drums in short, steady bursts to communicate and defend territory. It closely resembles the smaller Downy Woodpecker but has a notably longer, more substantial bill. Winter and early spring, when foliage is sparse and drumming activity increases, offer the best viewing opportunities.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- A brief pause at the base of a tree to watch foraging is generally fine, but avoid lingering near a nest cavity, since excavating pairs can be sensitive to repeated disturbance during incubation.
- General migratory bird protections across its range prohibit disturbing active nests or handling birds.
- Quiet observation from a short distance with binoculars is sufficient for good views.
LCAvesPiciformesPicidae
Seasonal Activity
7,167,411 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Picidae
Photo
(c) Denis Doucet, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Denis Doucet
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.