pileated woodpecker

1. Bird Name
English Name: Pileated Woodpecker
Scientific (Latin) Name: Dryocopus pileatus

2. Appearance
The Pileated woodpecker is an easily recognizable bird for its bold black and white stripes that curve down across its body. It possesses a raven-like size and a flaming red crest that makes it quite distinctive. Adults are 40–49 cm long, span to 66–75 cm across the wings, and weigh 250–350 grams. Both males and females have a line of black feathers that stretches down from the beak to the neck. The difference in appearance between the male and female lies in the mustache stripe, which is red in males and black in females. They both have a long, chisel-shaped bill and short legs equipped with sharp-clawed toes, which are ideal for steady perching on the trunks of trees.

3. Size
The Pileated Woodpeckers are large, crow-sized birds, generally 16-19 inches long with a wingspan of 26-30 inches, roughly the size of a crow. They typically weigh between 8.8 and 14.1 ounces.

4. Habitat & Distribution
This species of woodpecker is distributed extensively across North America, ranging from the boreal forests of Canada down to parts of the United States. You’re most likely to find Pileated Woodpeckers in broad, mature forests, both deciduous, mixed, and evergreen. They’re also adaptable to different environments and have been noticed increasingly in suburban areas, parks, and even large garden spaces.

5. Interesting Facts
Several fun facts about the Pileated Woodpecker are that, though they are primary cavity nesters, meaning they prefer to nest in dead or rotting tree trunks, these birds are also known to drill into healthy trees. Another unique behavior is how they drum on trees to establish territory, the sound of which carries through the forest. This species is also known as the carpenter of the avian world, capable of chiseling out a roost or nest hole in a tree in a matter of weeks.

6. Diet
Pileated Woodpeckers are omnivores. Their diet majorly consists of ants and wood-boring beetle larvae, but they also feed on wild fruits, nuts, berries, and occasionally, small rodents.

7. Behavior & Sounds
Pileated Woodpeckers are known for their loud, distinct calls, typically a series of 6-8 echoing notes. They fly in a unique undulating pattern, alternating between a series of rapid wingbeats and folds. They are quite shy and wary, and usually busy pecking wood and excavating for food. These woodpeckers communicate with their mates and repel intruders through drumming rapidly on a tree or log.

8. Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, pileated Woodpeckers are listed as a species of “Least Concern”. Though they have previously suffered from loss of habitat due to deforestation, their populations have recovered thanks to the conservation of mature forests and are now pretty stable.

9. Lifespan
In the wild, Pileated Woodpeckers can live for slightly over a decade, with the oldest known reaching 12 years in age. Their lifespan in captivity is not well studied.

10. Additional Notes
The pileated woodpecker is considered a “keystone species” for its habit of creating large cavities in trees, which are then used by a variety of wildlife, from other birds to small mammals, thereby playing an important role in its ecosystem. This bird is also featured in Native American mythology and folklore. In Ojibwe, it is known as “Ma-Ma-Kwe” meaning “one who makes the noise of an axe-strike,” thanks to its wood-pecking habit. They’re also known to interact curiously with humans, especially in suburban regions.