The Pileated Woodpecker is
by far my favorite of the woodpeckers.
A Pileated Woodpecker at a suet feeder (photo: Gay Schroer)
It is a large bird, about
the size of an American Crow, with a large red head crest, a long neck and the
black and white body that characterizes the woodpeckers. There is no doubt when identifying this
beautiful bird. The most wondrous
characteristic of this bird is its high, clear series of piping vocalizations
that lasts several seconds. For
me, it can be easy to confuse the Pileated Woodpecker vocalization with the Northern Flicker’s loud, rolling rattle that rises and falls in volume.
Pileated Woodpeckers are
common year round in the extreme northwestern United States, all lands east of Texas, and across Canada where there are
trees big enough for Pileateds to drill a nest cavity. They are forest birds that can be found
foraging primarily for carpenter ants, as well as other insects and a great deal
of fruits and nuts, in standing dead trees and downed wood. They live in mature deciduous or mixed
deciduous-coniferous forests. In
the west, they are often found in old growth forests, where in the east they
are found in young forests as well as partially wooded suburbs.
A Pileated Woodpecker at another type of suet feeder (photo: Gay Schroer)
This species is monogamous
and a pair will defend its territory against other Pileateds all year round, but it will allow some trespassers
during the winter non-breeding months.
When an individual dies, the other will go in search of a new mate.
During nesting season the
males will excavate a nest cavity, but the female will assist in lining the
nest with woodchips. This process
takes approximately 3-6 weeks.
Nest entrances are not circular like other woodpecker holes; rather they
are oblong. Clutch size ranges
from 3-5 eggs,.which take 15-18 days to incubate. The chicks take approximately
a month to fledge, or fly from the nest.
Nests are rarely used again after the breeding season, but other birds
and mammals will often use them.
Dead trees are an
excellent source of food and shelter; therefore, there is a great deal of
competition for territory with other animals. Not only do other woodpeckers feed on insects from dead
trees, but these nesting sites are highly prized. Wood Ducks, European Starlings, Eastern Bluebirds, and Great
Crested Flycatchers will compete for nest sites and, at times, a Pileated
Woodpecker will be found sharing a nest with bats or swifts.
The next time you visit
the World Bird Sanctuary keep your eyes and ears open for the sight or sound of
the Pileated Woodpeckers that inhabit our woods.
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