# 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. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 166 - **Habitat:** Forests and woodlands - **Also known as:** Woodhen ![Pileated Woodpecker](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426728/objects/4557.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Piciformes - **Family:** Picidae - **Genus:** Dryocopus ## 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 - **Loud Drummer:** Pileated Woodpecker can hammer trees loudly because of its strong neck and beak, helping it find food and communicate. - **Tree Carver:** Pileated Woodpecker has a powerful, chisel-like beak that helps it dig large, rectangular holes into wood to find insects. - **Insect Snatcher:** Pileated Woodpecker can extend a long, barbed, sticky tongue because of its unique skull structure, helping it extract insects. - **Gripping Climber:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/carpenter-ant) (*Camponotus pennsylvanicus*) — A primary food source, found deep in trees. - **Shelter:** [Southern Flying Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/southern-flying-squirrel) (*Glaucomys volans*) — Uses abandoned woodpecker cavities for nests. - **Shelter:** Eastern Screech Owl (*Megascops asio*) — Often nests in old Pileated Woodpecker holes. - **Depends on:** [Shagbark Hickory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shagbark-hickory) (*Carya ovata*) — Excavates cavities in live or dead trees. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Pileated Woodpeckers are not dangerous, but it's best to watch them from a distance and not disturb their homes. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pileated Woodpecker? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Pileated Woodpecker? 40-49 cm ### What is Pileated Woodpecker's wingspan? 66-76 cm ### How much does Pileated Woodpecker weigh? 0.25-0.35 kg ### How long does Pileated Woodpecker live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Pileated Woodpecker move? 50 km/h ### What does Pileated Woodpecker eat? They mainly eat insects found deep inside trees, like carpenter ants and beetle larvae. ### Where is Pileated Woodpecker usually found? Forests and woodlands ## Where to spot - [Abbott Farm Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/abbott-farm-historic-district) — New Jersey, US · Historic District - [Ashton Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ashton-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Bainbridge Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bainbridge-commercial-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Belltown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belltown-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Berkshire Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berkshire-botanical-garden) — Massachusetts, US · Botanical Garden - [Bloomingdale](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bloomingdale) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Pileated Woodpecker](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pileated-woodpecker) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Pileated Woodpecker: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pileated-woodpecker)