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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.

Identification and Similar Species

The Hairy Woodpecker closely resembles the Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens), but differs in structure and proportions.

The most reliable feature is the bill:

• The Hairy’s bill is long, straight, and robust, typically about equal to the length of the head
• It appears thick and chisel-like, giving the bird a more elongated, “spear-faced” profile

Tail pattern (when visible):

• The outer tail feathers are clean white, lacking black spots

A single photo often lacks reliable scale, angle, and depth, which can distort key features like bill length and body proportions. Accurate identification usually requires multiple cues—such as behavior, size comparison, and observation from different angles—collected in the field.

Best Locations and Seasons for Sightings

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.

"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 my park visit journals.

Captured Moments

Videos are hosted on YouTube. Click on a thumbnail to watch it.

References

• Woodpeckers are more cryptic against tree bark on which they forage

All content on this page — including photos, videos, and field audio recordings — was created by Karl-Heinz Müller, a Montréal-based wildlife filmmaker, sound recordist, and photographer. Founder of MUUUH and Québec Sauvage, he has spent over a decade documenting Canada’s natural habitats through immersive soundscapes and wildlife films. Learn more about Karl-Heinz

Last updated: 2026-04-01