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Hairy Woodpecker, Picoides villosus

Picture of a Mountain meadow.Migratory status of the Hairy woodpecker

As temperatures drop in fall and into winter Hairy woodpeckers move down slope into warmer environment in search of insects.

Reproduction of the Hairy woodpecker

The Hairy woodpecker nests mostly in snags. It is a primary cavity nester. That is, it excavates its own nest. Usually the snags are of large diameter trees in a late stage of decay.

Niche filled by the Hairy woodpecker

The Hairy woodpecker does not mind foraging near the ground, which is odd for a woodpecker. Most species like to stay up in high. The Hairy Woodpecker will glean fallen logs as well as stumps and live trees.

Habitats/Plant communities used by the hairy woodpecker

Ecotones, divisions between plant communities, are an important foraging area. The Hairy woodpecker especially likes the ecotones between coniferous forest and riparian plant communities. They prefer mature forests with an abundance of snags.

Closed Cone Pine Forest

Lodgepole Pine Forest

Central Oak Woodland

Yellow Pine Forest

Northern Oak Woodland

Southern Oak Woodland

Mixed Evergreen Forest

Riparian

Red Fir forest

How to attract the Hairy woodpecker to your garden

To attract a Hairy woodpecker to your garden you need some large trees. To get a big tree quick you can plant a riparian species. Sycamores are their favorites. You can plant the firs and allow them to take their time in getting established.

Range of the Hairy woodpecker

The Hairy woodpecker has a similar range to that of the Downy woodpecker. They differ in that the Hairy woodpecker is not found in California's central valley.

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Edited on Jun 16, 2012. Authors:
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