Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)
A mid-sized woodpecker commonly seen in the forests around Montreal. Males have a small red patch on the back of the head.
- 🇫🇷 Pic chevelu
- 🇩🇪 Haarspecht
- 🇲🇽 Pico velloso
Characteristics
- Length: 25-30cm
- Weight: 70-100g
- Wingspan: 40-44cm
How to Identify
There is one species which is very similar to the Hairy Woodpecker and covering the same areas displaying same behavior. To identify this species, I look at the length of the beak which exceeds significantly one third of the width of the head when being seen from the side.
Tap image to enlarge
Tap image to enlarge
Click on photo to enlarge.
Where and When to Spot
All year long in the forests around Montreal. Best season is winter as due to lack of foliage the bird can be spotted more easily. Just sit down and watch. After some time a Hairy Woodpecker will pass by walking up the tree trunks searching for insects.
Observations by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belvédère Outremont | x | - | - | - |
| Jardin Botanique de Montréal | x | - | - | - |
| Parc Angrignon | x | x | - | x |
| Parc Bernard-Landry | - | - | x | - |
| Parc Michel-Chartrand | x | - | - | x |
| Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies | x | - | - | x |
| Parc de la Frayère | x | - | - | - |
"-" indicates no observation. It may not necessarily mean though that the species is absent from the park during that season.