Dryobates villosus
The hairy woodpecker is a larger relative of the downy woodpecker. Both birds have a characteristic white stripe down their backs. But the hairy woodpecker is a couple inches bigger than the downy, measuring about 8 inches. The best way to tell them apart is by looking at the bird's bill. The hairy has a longer bill in relation to its head. And, the downy has a ladder of black bands on its outer white tail feathers. Both are common year-round residents in Wisconsin.
Look at the photos below. Compare the male downy woodpecker on the left with the female hairy woodpecker on the right. Joe took these photos of the birds on the same feeder so it is easy to see how different they are in size. Males of both species have a red patch of feathers on their heads, females have no red feathers.
Woodpeckers like to eat suet from winter feeders.