The Pileated Woodpecker is a large, striking bird found in North American forests. Its impressive size, bold plumage, and distinct sounds make it a notable resident.
Identifying a Pileated Woodpecker
The Pileated Woodpecker is easily recognized by its significant size, measuring between 16 to 19 inches (40 to 49 cm) in length with a wingspan ranging from 26 to 30 inches (66 to 75 cm). Its body is predominantly black, contrasted sharply by bold white stripes running down its neck and face. A flaming red crest sweeps back from its head.
Subtle distinctions in plumage allow for differentiation between males and females. The male boasts a red malar stripe extending from its bill across its cheek. In contrast, the female exhibits a black stripe in this same area. Both sexes feature a robust, chisel-like bill.
Their Forest Home and Diet
Pileated Woodpeckers primarily inhabit mature forests, including mixed deciduous and coniferous woodlands, often found near water sources. They are widespread across North America, ranging from Canada through the eastern United States and parts of the Pacific Coast. While they prefer large tracts of forest, they can also adapt to suburban areas that contain significant stands of trees and decaying wood.
Their diet mainly consists of insects, with carpenter ants sometimes making up to 97% of their diet. They also consume wood-boring beetle larvae and termites. To access these insects, Pileated Woodpeckers use their powerful bills to excavate large, often rectangular holes in dead or dying trees and fallen logs. They also eat various wild fruits, berries, and nuts, such as those from greenbrier, hackberry, and sumac.
Distinctive Sounds and Excavations
Pileated Woodpeckers are quite vocal, producing a loud, high-pitched call, often described as a series of “cuk-cuk-cuk” notes that rise and fall in pitch and volume, sometimes sounding like a “laughing” or “wuk-a-wuk.” These calls serve various purposes, including territorial defense and communication between mates. Their vocalizations are distinct from other birds, though sometimes compared to a Northern Flicker’s call, the Pileated’s is typically more resonant.
Beyond their calls, Pileated Woodpeckers create powerful, resonant drumming sounds on trees, which are a form of communication rather than foraging. This drumming is often a slow, deep rolling pattern, lasting about three seconds, used to mark territory, attract mates, and signal to other woodpeckers. Their foraging activities leave behind characteristic large, rectangular or oval holes in trees. These excavations, often a foot or more long, can be so extensive they attract other cavity-nesting wildlife, providing shelter for species like owls, bats, and other birds.