The Hairy Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker that is native to forests across much of North America. They get their name from the distinctive ‘hairy’ appearance of their plumage. In this article, we’ll explore why the Hairy Woodpecker has this unique name and appearance.
The Plumage of the Hairy Woodpecker
The most noticeable feature of the Hairy Woodpecker is its plumage. Both males and females have black and white plumage on their wings, back, and tail. This black and white coloration serves as camouflage as the birds move along tree trunks and branches.
However, it is the plumage on the Hairy Woodpecker’s body that gives rise to its name. Their underparts and the back of their head are covered in distinctively shaggy, hair-like white feathers. These feathers give the woodpecker a hairy or unkempt appearance, which is very different from other woodpecker species that have sleek body plumage.
This ‘hairy’ body plumage serves an important function for the Hairy Woodpeckers. The small, hair-like feathers help insulate the birds in colder weather. The plumage also helps camouflage the woodpeckers when they are roosting on tree trunks.
The Plumage of Males vs. Females
There are some differences in plumage between male and female Hairy Woodpeckers. The most noticeable difference is a small red patch found on the back of the male’s head. This red patch is absent in female Hairy Woodpeckers.
The ‘hairy’ plumage on the body and white and black patterns on the wings, back and tail are the same in both sexes. However, males do tend to have more extensive black patterning on the face than females.
The differences in plumage allow for easy identification between male and female Hairy Woodpeckers. The presence of the red patch indicates the bird is a male, while the lack of red plumage indicates a female.
Plumage of Juveniles
Hairy Woodpecker chicks have a distinctly different appearance than the adults. Juvenile plumage lacks the bold black and white patterns, instead appearing mostly brown and beige. The chicks also lack the distinctive shaggy ‘hairy’ body plumage.
As the juveniles mature, their adult plumage starts to grow in. After one year, young Hairy Woodpeckers closely resemble the adults, with the full black, white and red coloration.
Unique Plumage Among Woodpeckers
The Hairy Woodpecker is somewhat distinctive among North American woodpeckers due to its plumage. Other woodpecker species have plumage that appears ‘neater’ and more sleek compared to the shaggy feathers of the Hairy.
For example, the Downy Woodpecker is similar in size and shape to the Hairy but lacks the thick, hair-like plumage on the body. The striking red-headed plumage of the Red-headed Woodpecker also contrasts with the Hairy’s more subdued colors.
The unique, hairy plumage of this species gives rise to its memorable name. When early naturalists first observed and documented the birds, the ‘hairy’ appearance stood out compared to other woodpeckers.
Habitat Preferences Help Explain the Plumage
The plumage of the Hairy Woodpecker is well adapted for its habitat preferences. This species prefers mature forests and woodlots, where it forages along trunks and branches of trees.
The black and white coloration provides camouflage against the tree bark. And the thick, hair-like plumage helps insulate the birds in colder northern forests. Hairy Woodpeckers are found across forested areas of Alaska, Canada and the northern United States.
In comparison, the Downy Woodpecker prefers more open, scrubby habitat. And other woodpeckers like the Red-headed prefer open woodlands and forests. The habitat preferences of these species correspond with plumage better suited to those environments.
Unique Adaptations for a Specialized Lifestyle
The Hairy Woodpecker has a number of specialized adaptations that allow it to thrive in mature, dense forests:
- Their chisel-like bills are longer and more robust compared to other similar-sized woodpeckers. This helps them excavate into wood.
- They have longer, stiffer tail feathers which they use as props when climbing along trunks and branches.
- Their feet have two toes pointing forward and two pointing back to provide a strong grip on both vertical and horizontal surfaces.
The plumage of the Hairy Woodpecker fits with these other adaptations for its specialized lifestyle. The shaggy feathers help insulate it in cold climates. And the coloration provides camouflage in the mature forests this species frequents.
Conclusion
The Hairy Woodpecker gets its memorable name from the thick, hair-like plumage on its body. This shaggy plumage helps insulate the birds in the colder, northern forests they inhabit. It also provides camouflage as the woodpeckers forage on tree trunks.
Other features like the chisel-like bill and stiff tail feathers also demonstrate adaptations this species has for thriving in dense, mature forests. The plumage works together with these anatomical features to aid the Hairy Woodpecker in its specialized lifestyle.
So next time you see a Hairy Woodpecker, take a closer look at its distinctive hairy plumage. The shaggy feathers play an important role in allowing this fascinating species to inhabit northern forests across the continent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some key features of the Hairy Woodpecker’s appearance?
The Hairy Woodpecker has striking black and white coloration on the wings, back and tail. The underparts and head are white with shaggy, hair-like feathers giving a ‘hairy’ appearance. Males have a small red spot on the back of the head, while females do not.
How does the Hairy Woodpecker’s plumage help it survive?
The plumage provides camouflage as the birds move along tree trunks. The thick, hair-like body feathers also help insulate Hairy Woodpeckers in colder climates. The plumage is well-adapted to their habitat in northern, mature forests.
How can you tell the difference between a male and female Hairy Woodpecker?
The presence of a small red spot on the back of the head indicates a male Hairy Woodpecker. Females lack this red spot. Males also tend to have more extensive black patterning on the face.
How does the Hairy Woodpecker’s plumage differ from that of the Downy Woodpecker?
The Downy Woodpecker lacks the thick, shaggy body plumage of the Hairy. Downies have more neat, sleek plumage overall. The differences correspond with each species’ habitat preferences.
Do Hairy Woodpecker juveniles look the same as adults?
No, juveniles have mostly brown and beige plumage lacking the bold patterns and red spot. After one year, their adult plumage grows in and they closely resemble their parents.
Key Facts About the Hairy Woodpecker’s Plumage
- Distinctive black and white coloration on wings, back and tail provide camouflage
- Thick, hair-like white feathers cover the underparts and head
- Males have a small red spot on the back of the head, females do not
- The ‘hairy’ plumage provides insulation in cold climates
- Juveniles have mostly brown plumage that lacks adult patterning
- Plumage differences distinguish it from the similar Downy Woodpecker
- The plumage fits with its adaptations for living in mature, northern forests
Detailed Description of the Hairy Woodpecker’s Plumage
Here is a more detailed look at the plumage of the male and female Hairy Woodpecker:
Head
The head of the Hairy Woodpecker has a black and white striped pattern. The black stripes run from the beak back over the eyes and the crown. The stripes are separated by thick white stripes. The lower rear of the head is solid white.
Males have a distinct small, oval-shaped red patch on the very back of the head. Females lack red plumage on the head.
The feathers covering the lower head, throat and cheeks have a thick, shaggy texture that appears hairy or unkempt.
Back & Wings
The upper back and wings are covered in a checkerboard pattern of crisp black and clean white feathers. This gives the appearance of neat rows of alternating black and white squares along the wings and back.
The upper wing surfaces near the body are solid black. The tips of the outer wings have large white patches that form a noticeable white stripe on each wing when perched.
The uppertail coverts right above the tail are also black with some smaller white spots mixed in.
Underparts
The breast, belly, flank and undertail coverts are a solid snowy white. The feathers covering these underparts have a shaggy, hair-like texture, thicker than on most other woodpeckers.
The under-wing surface is also white with thin black barring giving it a scaled pattern.
Tail
The tail feathers are black with prominent white barring. When spread in flight, the tail appears mostly black with thick white bands.
The outermost tail feathers are entirely black right to the tips. The inner tail feathers have white bars that get thicker closer to the body.
Similar Species Comparison
The plumage of the Hairy Woodpecker makes it distinctive compared to similar woodpecker species:
Downy Woodpecker
The Downy Woodpecker is nearly identical in size and shape but lacks the thick, hairy body plumage. The Downy has neatly groomed white underparts and a smoothly rounded head.
Red-headed Woodpecker
The solid red head and neck of the Red-headed Woodpecker contrasts strongly with the Hairy’s striped head pattern. Red-headed also lacks hairy plumage.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Larger than Hairy, with a pale red wash on belly and red cap on the back of a brownish head. Underparts do not have a hairy appearance.
Northern Flicker
Much larger with yellowish or reddish underparts and black spotted belly. Lacks hairy plumage. Male has a red crescent on nape.
Conclusion: Unique Hairy Plumage is the Source of Its Name
With striking black and white patterns on the wings and tail combined with its thick ‘hairy’ white plumage on the underparts, the Hairy Woodpecker has a distinctive appearance. The shaggy feathers help insulation and camouflage in its preferred northern forest habitat.
This unique plumage sets it apart from similar woodpeckers and gives rise to the Hairy Woodpecker’s memorable common name. The next time you spot this fascinating bird, take a moment to admire its characteristic hairy plumage.
