Our Winter Woodpeckers

By Al Lowe
Contributor

Quite a few of our woodpeckers either migrate or drift south during the worst of the winter. We do have some, however, which stay here in the frosty climate right along with us. These two are look-a likes, the Downy Woodpecker (Dendrocopus pubescens) and the Hairy Woodpecker (Dendrocopus villosus).
The Hairy Woodpecker is one of the most common of all the woodpecker family. It ranges all the way from Panama to Alaska. It is a fairly large bird, nearly the size of a robin. White breast and belly, white back, black and white wings, tail and head give an overall picture of nothing but black and white. The male bird has a prominent red patch one the back of his head, but the female lacks this adornment. Hairys have long beaks, nearly as long as their heads.
The birds invariable make their own nests. They show a decided preference for broad-leaved trees, and make the holes well up in them, maybe 20 to 60 feet or more. Both male and female excavate the hole, and both incubate the eggs.
The Downy Woodpecker appears to be a smaller version of the same bird. It is much smaller, only six inches or so in length. It, too, is widespread over much of North America. Except for a few minor variations, the colouring of the Downy is just about the same as that of the Hairy. The Downy's beak is much smaller than its head. This is a good distinguishing mark, if you are not sure which is which. The Downy has a fluffy look about it, while the Hairy is sleeker and more tailored.
Woodpeckers have some rather unique adaptations for the way in which they live. Their beaks are sharp and are shaped something like chisels. Skull structure is very heavy-boned to withstand that incessant hammering. The claws on woodpeckers' feet extend both frontwards and backwards, to give them lots of support on tree trunks. Most woodpeckers have long, spear-shaped tongues to enable them to get at insects and grubs deep in the woods of trees. Both of these species are of immense value to our forests. They spend their lives searching out insects and larvae. Downys, in particular, will spend a day going over one or two trees with meticulous care, practically ridding it of these little pests.
Both of these birds are quite common in Northern Ontario. They are very easily attracted to suet. If you get yourself a piece of chicken wire, and tie a couple of pieces of beef fat to a tree, it won't be long before you are visited by these agile, worthwhile birds.