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Hairy Woodpecker

Dryobates villous
Picidae
Male has red patch on back of head
Tail props bird against tree; outer tail feathers not always visible
Stout bill equal to width of head in profile
Female shows how toes support upright posture
Female in nest cavity
Mother and daughter
Adult male with beak load of grubs for young
Father with food at nest hole
Father feeding daughter
Father at nest hole; son has red patch on top of head
Fledged son (top) taking food from father
Immature male has a red crown
Father feeds fledged daughter

It is surprising to see the Hairy Woodpecker at Salter Grove because it normally inhabits forested areas with tall trees rather than sparse woodland.  Since it is not migratory, sightings along the more heavily wooded sections of Audubon Trail were very likely of young birds prospecting for a suitable spot to call home.

At a distance, the robin-sized (9") Hairy Woodpecker can be mistaken for the sparrow-sized (6") Downy Woodpecker, which has been recorded year round at Salter Grove.  The two species have nearly identical plumages including the red patch on the back of the head in adult males.  

The two woodpecker species can be distinguished if their outer tail feathers can be clearly seen. Those of the Hairy Woodpecker are all white whereas those of the Downy are marked with varying amounts of black.  If the tail feathers cannot be clearly seen, the following characteristics can help to distinguish between the two.

The Hairy Woodpecker has a stout bill that is about as long as its head is wide in profile.  It tends to forage along tree trunks for insects beneath bark.  In contrast, the bill of the Downy is thinner and only about one-third the width of the head in profile and favors small branches and twigs in search of insect prey.

Both the Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers occur throughout North America with the Hairy Woodpecker ranging further south.  Whereas both species are found together in forest with tall trees, the Downy Woodpecker will more likely venture into small parks, woodlots and suburbia.