Pileated Woodpecker pecking a fence post.

Pileated Woodpecker

The Pileated Woodpecker’s latin name is Dryocopus pileatus. It is native to North America. The Pileated Woodpecker’s preferred habitat is mature forests, heavily wooded parks, mature hardwood trees, and thick forests. Their breeding habitat is forested areas across Canada, the eastern United States, and parts of the Pacific Coast. Their breeding season is between March and July. While the male normally selects the nest location, both the Pileated Woodpecker female and male will build the Pileated Woodpecker nest with the male doing most of the excavation. The female will lay 3-5 white eggs with 4 eggs being most common. Eggs will be incubated for 15-16 days by both the male and female birds. Both male and female will also feed the baby Pileated Woodpeckers. After 24 – 28 days the juvenile Pileated Woodpeckers will leave the nest.

The Pileated Woodpecker sound is typically a high, clear series of piping calls that lasts several seconds. The Pileated Woodpecker call can also be a shorter call that sounds like wuk, wuk or cuk, cuk to indicate a territory boundary or to give an alarm. Pileated Woodpeckers (also known as the Pileated Red Crowned Woodpecker) are non-migratory birds. Their population status is of least concern. The Pileated Woodpecker is found on Coal Creek Farm year round. If you search for Pileated Woodpecker images or for a picture of a Pileated Woodpecker you will discover that it is a big, dashing bird that is mostly black with white stripes on the face and neck and a flaming red crest. The male Pileated Woodpecker has a red stripe on its cheek. Their diet consists of ants, other insects, fruit, nuts, termites, beetles, and larvae. The Pileated Woodpecker is the second largest woodpecker in the United States.

Similar Posts

  • Northern Flicker

    ByGeorge Lindemann and Beatriz Lindemann

    The Northern Flicker’s latin name is Colaptes auratus. They are native to most of North America, parts of Central America, and the Cayman Islands. Their preferred habitat is open areas near trees, including woodlands, forest edges, groves, clearings, burnt areas, yards, parks, streamsides, mangroves, swamps, and marsh edges. The Northern Flicker bird breeds from March…

  • Indigo Bunting

    ByGeorge Lindemann and Beatriz Lindemann

    Indigo Bunting Sound The Indigo Bunting’s latin name is Passerina cyanea. The Indigo Bunting bird can be found throughout North America and South America. It’s preferred habitat is farmland, brushy forest edges, and open woodland. The Indigo Bunting breeds during the summer. Their migration ranges from southern Canada to northern Florida during the summer, and…

  • Blue-throated Vireo

    ByTiffany Crockett

    The Blue-throated Vireo is a stocky small songbird with medium-length tail and fairly heavy, hooked bill and thick legs. It is a moss-green bird with a bluish-gray head and crisp white underparts. The face is set off by clean white “spectacles” and a throat. Blue-throated Vireos forage at middle heights in mature trees, where they…

  • American Goldfinch

    ByTiffany Crockett

    Here are some interesting American Goldfinch facts. The American Goldfinch’s Latin name is Spinus tristis. It is found all over North America. The American Goldfinch prefers open country, such as fields, meadows, and plains, as well as roadsides, gardens, and orchards. They breed around June or July. The American Goldfinch nest is built by the female, up…

  • Eastern Whip-Poor-Will

    ByTiffany Crockett

    What is a Whippoorwill?  Officially, it’s an Eastern Whip-poor-will and its latin name is Antrostomus vociferus. It lives in North America. Their preferred habitat is leafy woodlands, moist forests, and deciduous woodlands. The Eastern Whip-poor-will (also referred to as a Whippoorwill bird) breeds through May and June. They winter in southern parts. Their population is…