Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)
The Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) is a striking mid-sized bird known for its distinctive black and white plumage and the males' characteristic red patch on the back of their heads. Commonly found in the forests around Montreal, this species is an adept forager, often seen scaling tree trunks in search of insects.
| 🇫🇷 | Pic chevelu |
| 🇩🇪 | Haarspecht |
| 🇲🇽 | Pico velloso |
| Taxonomy | |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Family | Picidae |
How to Identify
A species very similar to the Hairy Woodpecker shares the same habitat and behavior. To distinguish the Hairy Woodpecker, observe the beak length, which significantly exceeds one-third of the head's width when viewed from the side.
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Characteristics
| Length | 18-26cm |
| Weight | 40-95g |
| Wingspan | 33-43cm |
| Clutch Size | 3-6 eggs |
| Incubation | 14 days |
| Fledging | 28-30 days |
| Sexual Maturity | 1 year |
| Source | Wikipedia |
Where and When to Spot
The Hairy Woodpecker can be observed year-round in the forests around Montreal. The best season to spot them is winter, as the lack of foliage makes them more visible. Simply sit quietly and watch; eventually, a Hairy Woodpecker will likely appear, climbing tree trunks in search of insects.
Observation Records 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 | - | - | - |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.