ExploreBird

Pileated Woodpecker

Dryocopus pileatus

The Pileated Woodpecker is a large, striking bird with a bright red crest and black body. They love to drum on trees to find tasty insects and make their homes in old trees.

Habitat: Forests and woodlands

Appearance

The Pileated Woodpecker is a large, striking bird with a black body and a prominent red crest. Both sexes have white stripes on the face and neck, but males also sport a red "mustache" stripe, making them visually distinct.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPiciformesFamilyPicidaeGenusDryocopus

Pileated Woodpecker

Interesting facts

Their drumming can be heard up to a mile away!

Their old nest cavities are homes for many other animals!

Their tongue can wrap all the way around their skull!

They follow ant trails to find hidden nests deep inside trees!

Special abilities

Pileated Woodpecker can hammer trees loudly because of its strong neck and beak, helping it find food and communicate.

Pileated Woodpecker has a powerful, chisel-like beak that helps it dig large, rectangular holes into wood to find insects.

Pileated Woodpecker can extend a long, barbed, sticky tongue because of its unique skull structure, helping it extract insects.

Pileated Woodpecker has two toes pointing forward and two backward, helping it grip tree trunks firmly while climbing.

Measurements & details

Length: 40-49 cm
Wingspan: 66-76 cm
Weight: 0.25-0.35 kg
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Top Speed: 50 km/h
Clutch Size: 3-5
Incubation: 15-18 days

Diet & Feeding

They mainly eat insects found deep inside trees, like carpenter ants and beetle larvae.

Primary Foods

Carpenter ants
Wood-boring beetle larvae
Termites
Wild berries
Acorns

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Carpenter Ant

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

A primary food source, found deep in trees.

shelters

Southern Flying Squirrel

Glaucomys volans

Uses abandoned woodpecker cavities for nests.

shelters

Eastern Screech Owl

Megascops asio

Often nests in old Pileated Woodpecker holes.

depends on

Shagbark Hickory

Carya ovata

Excavates cavities in live or dead trees.

Traits

Feathered

These are animals covered in soft, beautiful feathers that help them fly, stay warm, and even attract mates! Think of all the amazing birds you know.

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Arboreal

Climb high with animals who love living in trees! These agile creatures find their food, shelter, and even raise their families among the branches.

Insectivorous

Discover clever creatures that specialize in munching on insects, playing a super important role in keeping bug populations in check. They are nature's tiny bug vacuums!

Forest

These lush habitats are filled with countless trees, offering homes to a huge variety of plants and animals! Immerse yourself in the green canopy.

Longevous

Marvel at organisms that have an incredible capacity to live for a very, very long time, sometimes spanning centuries or even millennia. They are the elders of the natural world!

Diurnal

Wake up with creatures that are most active during the day! They love the sunshine for finding food, playing, and exploring.

Keystone Species

Discover the hidden heroes of nature! These special species play an incredibly important role in their habitat, holding the entire ecosystem together like a crucial piece of a puzzle.