28. Hairy Woodpecker

The Hairy Woodpecker is a year round resident and one of the four woodpeckers that help to decimate the suet feeders. The Hairy always seems the most cocky and attacks the food with as if it were set out for them alone. Larger than the Downy and if you have a moment of uncertainty without a size reference -look at the bill. It is about the same length as the head.  We'd always wondered why this feathered creature was called "Hairy". It turns out that they have highly modified feathers called filoplumes at the base of their upper mandible and on their legs that give the impression of hair. Can't say I ever noticed! 

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