Plate 111 of the Birds of America by John James Audubon, depicting the pileated woodpecker. Adults are 40 to 49 cm (16 to 19 in) long, span 66 to 75 cm (26 to 30 in) across the wings and weigh 250 to 400 g (8.8 to 14.1 oz), with an average weight of 300 g (11 oz).
How Wolves Help. Wolves play a very important role in the ecosystems in which they live. Since 1995, when wolves were reintroduced to the American West, research has shown that in many places they have helped revitalize and restore ecosystems. They improve habitat and increase populations of countless species from birds of prey to pronghorn, and even trout.
1 Wolves eat many of the same small animals that coyotes do. 2  And like many other predators, wolves know how to kill competitorsâin this case, coyotes. 3  With the wolf practically gone in many areas, the coyote has quickly moved in. 4  Some coyotes kill calves and lambs on people's ranches and farms. Coyotes are clever enough to trick other animals. 2  A coyote might leap about crazily near a group of birds to distract them, then its partner might sneak up on the birds and seize a few of them for dinner. 3  People have helped coyotes to spread across North America.