Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus
- IdentificationVisual tips about this species
- BehaviourHabitat, behaviour, and food
- PopulationSubspecies and numbers
- ReproductionNesting and eggs
Identification
A spectacular crow-sized woodpecker, it is overall black with a bright red crest and a white neck stripe. The male is identified by his full red crown and moustache and the female by her half red crown and lack of a red moustache. In flight, its deep, slow wing-beats suggest a crow, but it is easily separated by its conspicuous white wing coverts.
Voice
The call is a loud, ringing, ‘cuk-cuk-cuk-cuk-cuk ‘.
Length
16.5in
Behaviour
Its flight isn't bounding like other woodpeckers but continues in a more or less straight line, like a floppy-winged crow
Migration
Non-migratory.
Habitat
Forests.
Food
Insects, fruits and nuts.
Population trends
Declined drastically as the United States was settled and old growth forests were cleared. By the late 1800's it had become rare throughout its range. In the 1900's, it adapted to smaller areas of forest and began recovering. Today it is again common in many areas.
Where in US
A year-round resident in the eastern and northwestern United States, and throughout the forested regions of Canada.
Nests
The nest is in a cavity bored in dead wood, usually in a conifer or deciduous tree, but sometimes in a telephone pole. This is usually located in forested areas with large old trees.
Eggs
Single-brooded with 3-5, white, eggs.
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