Hairy Woodpecker

The hairy woodpecker, Picoides villosus, is described as a medium-sized bird, measuring between 81/2 and 10 inches in length. The hairy has a strong, relatively long, and sturdy bill nearly as long as the head. The head has a scarlet nape patch that is divided by an extension of the black crown feathers. The hairy woodpecker can use its tail as a support when feeding, and the outer two feathers are entirely white, lacking any black barring. The bird gets its name from the long, thin, white feathers on its back. The Pacific population has light-brown underparts, while the underparts of the eastern population are white. The measurements for the pattern and painting notes were taken from study skins provided by the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.