Woodpeckers

Pileated Woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus

Family Picidae (Woodpeckers)

Size: 16.5"

Season: Year-round

Habitat: Old-growth forests, urban areas with large trees

The pileated woodpecker is North America’s largest woodpecker, except for the huge, probably extinct ivory-billed woodpecker. It is powerful, long-necked, and crested. The body is all black, though the primaries have a white base, which is mostly covered in the folded wing. The head is boldly patterned black and white and has a bright-red crest that is limited on the female. The male has a red malar patch, while the female’s is black. In flight the contrasting white wing lining can be seen. To forage, pileated woodpeckers chip away chunks of bark to uncover ants and beetles but will feed on berries during the winter months. Their voice is a high-pitched, uneven, resounding wok-wok-wok. The adult male is illustrated.