The Pileated Woodpecker

The Pileated Woodpecker

The Pileated Woodpecker is one of the biggest, most striking forest birds on the continent. It’s nearly the size of a crow, black with bold white stripes down the neck and a flaming-red crest.

Look (and listen) for Pileated Woodpeckers whacking at dead trees and fallen logs in search of their main prey, carpenter ants, leaving unique rectangular holes in the wood. The nest holes these birds make offer crucial shelter to many species including swifts, owls, ducks, bats, and pine martens.

The Pileated Woodpecker

I normally see 4 of these gorgeous birds around my place all summer long. They are easy to find because of their size and they are actually very fast birds in flight. I actually got a couple photos of them flying I will share on tomorrows post.

The Pileated Woodpecker

I photographed this one below in Montana.

pileated woodpecker

The Pileated Woodpecker

Sandra J

Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts

24 Replies to “The Pileated Woodpecker”

  1. Very nice photos. I’ve only ever been able to catch them on my mobile phone. I hear them all of the time, but am rarely able to actually spot one. Well done!

    1. Yes, they are amazing to watch flying in the forest, they go so fast in and around the trees. Very hard to spot for me as well. Occasionally one fly’s over our open space, but not to often.

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