Home › R › Range (Eastern United States)

Range (Eastern United States)

Eastern United States, from the northern border south to North Carolina.

Washington, rare P. R. Sing Sing, rare P. R. Cambridge, uncommon W. V.

Nest, generally in a dead tree. Eggs, four to six, 95 x 75. This species resembles the Downy Woodpecker in habits, but is less frequently observed out of the woods. Its notes are noticeably louder WOODPECKERS. than the Downy's, and when one is familiar with both there is no difficulty in distinguishing the two by their voices. In speaking of the difference which exists between the rolling tattoo of some Woodpeckers Mr. Brewster says: "Thus, P. pubescens has a long, unbroken roll, P. villosus a shorter and louder one with a greater interval between each stroke; while S. varius, commencing with a short roll, ends very emphatically with five or six distinct disconnected taps. In this latter species I am convinced it is literally a call of recognition, as I have repeatedly seen the bird, after producing it, listen a moment when it would be answered from a distance, and its mate would shortly appear and join it" (Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist., xi, 1875, p. 144). 393b. D. v. audubonii (Swains.). SOUTHERN HAIRY WOODPECKER. -Similar to the preceding, but smaller, and with somewhat less white in the plumage. L., 8.10; W., 4.50; T., 2.80; B., 1·15.