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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. LVI
Field-journal plate: Hairy Woodpecker
The Hairy Woodpecker plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate LVI

Hairy Woodpecker

Leuconotopicus villosus

Picidae · Taxon 1651487

Length18–26 cm (7.1–10.2 in)
Wingspan33–41 cm (13.0–16.1 in)
Weight40–95 g (1.4–3.4 oz)

Field marks

  1. Medium-sized, boldly black-and-white woodpecker with an upright, straight-backed posture.
  2. Long, straight, chisel-like bill, nearly as long as the head.
  3. Two white facial stripes frame a black head; males show a small red patch on the rear crown.
  4. Broad white patch runs down the center of the black back.
  5. Black wings are checkered with white; outer tail feathers are plain white and stiff.
  6. Dark eye and feet; long, pointed tail used as a brace on trunks.

HabitatMature deciduous, coniferous, and mixed woodlands with medium to large trees; also forest edges, groves, burned stands, and other treed habitats with dead wood.

BehaviorClings upright to trunks and large branches, bracing with stiff tail feathers; probes, scales bark, and excavates dead wood for insects.

Palette

blackwhiteredcharcoal graypale gray