Its colors are black and white -- almost a zebra-like striped appearance. The male has a red spot on the back of his head. They look like Downy Woodpeckers, except Hairies are larger in body and bill. The western birds have dark breasts and less wing spots.

Hairies search bark for insects, and they live in forests as well as in open woodlands. They live and raise their young in a hole in dead wood. They will come to a feeder for suet, nuts, fruit and corn.

Hanging your feeder from a tree branch or close to a tree trunk is optimal. Squirrel baffles are always recommended.

You can find Hairies from Alaska to Panama and throughout the United States.