Hairy woodpeckers are medium-sized woodpeckers that are common across much of North America. They can be found in forests, parks, and even suburban backyards. But do these striking black-and-white birds actually visit bird feeders?
Do Hairy Woodpeckers Eat at Feeders?
The simple answer is yes, hairy woodpeckers will visit feeders, especially during winter when natural food sources are scarce. However, they have some unique feeding behaviors compared to other common feeder birds:
- Hairy woodpeckers prefer suet over seed. They are much more likely to visit suet feeders stocked with suet cakes or suet nuggets.
- They tend to feed higher up and prefer feeders that are mounted on trees or poles vs platform feeders.
- They are larger and more aggressive than other woodpeckers, so platform feeders may need to be designed to accommodate them.
- They will occasionally visit seed feeders for sunflower seeds, peanuts, and other large seeds.
- They tend to feed earlier in the day compared to other woodpeckers.
So in summary, hairy woodpeckers can be attracted to feeders, especially suet feeders placed higher up. But their feeding habits are a bit different than backyard favorites like chickadees, nuthatches, and downy woodpeckers.
Appearance and Identification
Hairy woodpeckers are medium-large in size for a woodpecker. They measure 7-10 inches in length with a wingspan around 15 inches. Some key identification features include:
- Black and white coloration. Males have a red patch on the back of the head.
- A long chisel-like bill.
- Very similar in looks to the smaller downy woodpecker.
- Distinguished from the downy by their larger size and longer bill.
- Stiff upright posture on tree trunks.
- Sharp repetitive call sounds like “Pik!”
- Drumming on trees creates a fast, slower-paced rolling sound.
The striking black and white plumage with bold patterning makes the hairy woodpecker one of the more easily identifiable woodpeckers. But care should be taken not to confuse them with the smaller downy woodpecker, which shares the same coloration.
Comparison to Downy Woodpecker
The downy woodpecker is very similar looking to the hairy woodpecker. But the downy is smaller with a short stubby bill. Here is a comparison:
Trait | Hairy Woodpecker | Downy Woodpecker |
---|---|---|
Length | 7-10 inches | 5-6 inches |
Wingspan | 13-17 inches | 9-12 inches |
Bill length | 1-1.5 inches | 0.5-0.75 inches |
Weight | 1.9-3.4 oz | 0.7-1.1 oz |
As you can see, the hairy woodpecker is noticeably larger with a longer bill. The bill length is the easiest way to distinguish them visually if size is difficult to judge.
Behavior and Habits
Hairy woodpeckers exhibit many typical woodpecker behaviors but also some unique traits:
- They use their long chisel-like bill to hammer into tree bark to find insects and excavate nest cavities.
- They have stiff tail feathers that they use as props against the tree for support.
- They use their long sticky tongues to extract insects deep from holes in the bark.
- They will occasionally visit feeders as described above.
- They create drumming patterns on trees for communication using their bill.
- They are somewhat antisocial and are usually seen alone or in pairs.
- They roost in tree cavities at night.
Compared to other woodpeckers like flickers and sapsuckers, the hairy woodpecker sticks to trees and does not feed on the ground. They spend their time methodically probing into bark crevices searching for insect larvae and other invertebrates to eat.
Drumming Habits
One unique behavior hairy woodpeckers exhibit is drumming on dead tree branches and trunks. Drumming serves a few purposes:
- Establishes a breeding territory.
- Attracts a potential mate.
- Communicates with a mate or offspring.
The drumming itself creates a distinctive slower paced, staccato type roll. The woodpecker will strike the same area repeatedly in a steady rhythm. Drumming often occurs first thing in the morning and can be heard resonating through the woods.
Habitat and Range
Hairy woodpeckers occupy a broad range of forested habitat across much of North America. Their range extends:
- From Alaska across Canada to Nova Scotia.
- South throughout the continental U.S.
- Absent only from southern Florida, the Southwest desert, and some coastal areas.
Within their range, they primarily inhabit forested areas including:
- Deciduous forests with oaks, maples, aspens, etc.
- Coniferous forests dominated by spruce, firs, pines.
- Mixed woodlands with both deciduous and evergreen trees.
- Wooded parks, cemeteries, and backyards.
Mature forests with plenty of dead and decaying trees provide an abundance of nesting and roosting sites. They particularly favor forests bordering streams and swamps.
Backyard Habitats
Hairy woodpeckers will readily visit backyards with mature trees. Ideal backyard elements include:
- Trees at least 15-20 feet tall such as oak, maple, apple.
- Standing dead trees and dead branches.
- Forest edge habitat that transitions from woods to yard.
- Suet feeders, particularly if placed on tree trunks.
- Brush piles that attract insect prey.
Providing hairy woodpeckers with suitable feeders and trees for shelter, nesting, and drumming is key to attracting them to a yard habitat.
Diet and Feeding
The diet of hairy woodpeckers consists mainly of insects and other arthropods. Their feeding habits include:
- Boring into tree bark and dead wood to pull out insects.
- Plucking insects and spiders off the surface of trees.
- Catching flying insects in mid-air.
- Occasionally feeding on nuts, seeds, and fruits.
- Rarely feeding on tree sap.
- Visiting suet and sometimes seed feeders.
Beetle larvae, ants, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and spiders make up the bulk of their diet. While foraging, hairy woodpeckers create signature rectangular holes in tree bark as they chisel away for hidden insects.
Suet Feeder Preferences
Suet Type | Preference Level |
---|---|
Insect suet | High |
Peanut suet | Moderate |
Seed suet | Low |
Fruit suet | Low |
As shown in the table, suet cakes with insects are highly preferred by hairy woodpeckers. Straight peanut suet will also get some interest. But they tend to avoid plain seed and fruit suet cakes.
Nesting and Reproduction
Hairy woodpeckers nest in cavities they excavate in dead trees. Their nesting habits include:
- Excavate a new nest each year, usually in a dead tree or branch 10-60 feet up.
- Prefer aspens, oaks, pines, and other softwoods for the nest hole.
- Lay 3-6 glossy white eggs.
- Incubation is 12 days by both parents.
- Young fledge in 28 days.
- Generally raise one brood per mating season.
The nest hole created by the parents acts as a roosting site for the young after they fledge. The birds may continue roosting in the cavity through fall and winter.
Ideal Nesting Trees
Here are some ideal nesting tree species and characteristics:
Tree Species | Tree Condition |
---|---|
Aspen | Dead or partially dead |
Pine | Damaged or diseased |
Oak | Has heart rot fungus |
Maple | Dead stub or branch |
Hairy woodpeckers strongly favor nesting in dead or diseased wood. Seeking out damaged aspens, pines, and oaks may provide ideal nest trees.
Conservation Status
Hairy woodpeckers have a large range and stable populations across North America. Their conservation status is:
- Leasts Concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
- Not on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Birds of Conservation Concern list.
- Protected in the U.S. under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
While still common, their numbers have declined by around 33% between 1966 and 2014 per the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Maintaining sufficient habitat is key to preserving populations.
Threats
Some potential threats to hairy woodpecker populations include:
- Habitat loss from development and logging.
- Lack of dead/dying trees for nesting and shelter.
- Increased competition for nest sites.
- Use of harmful pesticides that reduce insect prey.
Allowing dead trees and branches to remain in place, limiting use of pesticides, and preserving woodland habitats can help conserve local populations.
Fun Facts
- The hairs on a hairy woodpecker are nearly invisible to the human eye. Their name refers to appearance of a shaggy feather edge versus actual hairs.
- Hairy woodpeckers have an extra-long tongue that wraps around their skull when retracted. Their tongues can extend up to 2-3 inches past their bill.
- They have special shock-absorbing adaptations in their skull and tail that act as cushions when they drum.
- They are sometimes attacked by species like eastern screech owls when roosting in cavities at night.
- The hairy woodpecker was formally described by Carolus Linnaeus, the famous Swedish botanist, in 1758.
- They have strong pointed claws that allow them to cling and climb vertically up a tree trunk.
- They help control wood-boring beetle outbreaks that can damage living trees.
Conclusion
With their striking patterning, energetic personality, and unique drumming behavior, the hairy woodpecker is a fascinating backyard visitor. Though often overlooked, hairy woodpeckers are fairly common across forests, parks, and backyards of North America. Providing suet feeders, standing dead trees, and brush piles can help attract them to your yard. Keep an eye and ear out for these charismatic cavity nesters on your trees and at your suet feeder this winter!