The Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is one of North America’s largest woodpecker species, often compared to the size of a crow. Its powerful build and dramatic coloration make it a visually impressive resident of wooded areas across a wide geographic range. This bird is a permanent, year-round fixture in its forested home ranges.
Distinctive Physical Characteristics
The Pileated Woodpecker is characterized by its dramatic black and white plumage, which creates a sharp contrast against its forest habitat. Adults typically measure between 40 and 49 centimeters (16 to 19 inches) in length, possessing a robust body and a strong, chisel-like bill. When in flight, large white patches beneath the wings become visible, a distinct feature against the otherwise dark body.
The defining feature of this species is the prominent, flaming red crest that sweeps back from the top of the head. This vibrant, triangular cap is present on both sexes, but subtle facial markings allow for clear differentiation between males and females. The male bird displays a bright red malar stripe, a marking that resembles a mustache running from the bill down the side of the throat.
In contrast, the female lacks this red stripe, sporting a black malar stripe instead. Additionally, the male’s red crest extends all the way forward to the base of the bill, covering the entire forecrown. The female’s red crest stops short, meeting a patch of black or yellowish-brown feathers at her forehead.
Foraging Habits and Vocalizations
The primary diet of the Pileated Woodpecker consists of insects found within dead or decaying wood, with carpenter ants being a favored meal. Studies of their stomach contents sometimes show that ants can make up over 90 percent of an individual’s diet. The birds also consume the larvae of wood-boring beetles and supplement their diet with wild fruits, berries, and nuts during the non-breeding seasons.
The woodpecker’s search for deep-dwelling ant colonies leaves behind a signature sign for its presence in the forest. It chisels deep, often rectangular or oblong-shaped holes into tree trunks and stumps, pursuing the tunnels of its prey. The bird uses its long, barbed tongue to extract insects from these excavated chambers, reaching deeper than most other woodpeckers.
Loud vocalizations and powerful drumming carry communication long distances through the woods. The most common call is a high-pitched, ringing series of notes, sometimes described as a “wuk-wuk-wuk” or “cuk-cuk-cuk” sound. Drumming serves as a territorial proclamation and courtship, typically sounding like a slow, deep roll lasting about three seconds, and the bird strategically selects hollow trees to achieve maximum resonance.
Geographic Range and Preferred Environment
The Pileated Woodpecker has a widespread distribution across North America, extending from the eastern United States through the boreal forests of Canada. Its range also includes the Pacific Northwest, covering a broad swath of forested habitats.
The species demonstrates a strong preference for mature and semi-mature forests, requiring tracts of large trees for nesting and foraging. Specifically, they rely on large standing dead trees, or snags, which provide the soft wood necessary for excavating their substantial nest cavities. While they favor large tracts of unfragmented forest, these woodpeckers have shown an ability to adapt to suburban environments, where they can be found in parks and wooded residential areas, provided there is sufficient tree cover and a supply of large, decaying wood.