Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus · Woodpeckers
The Pileated Woodpecker is a striking, crow-sized bird, recognized by its prominent red crest and mostly black body with bold white markings. It is the largest confirmed extant woodpecker in North America. This powerful excavator leaves distinctive rectangular holes in trees while foraging for insects.
Explore the full field guideResident, large, loud, insectiYear-round, crow-sized, drummi
5 calls·first heard Jul 30·last 34d ago
When it's heardpeak 5a · fall
5a12p9p
How to know it
- Both sexes have a bright red, pointed crest that sweeps back from the head.
- Mostly black body with bold white stripes on the face and neck. White flashes are visible under the wings in flight.
- Males have a red stripe, often called a 'mustache' or malar stripe, extending from the bill, and the red crest reaches the base of the bill.
- Females lack the red malar stripe, having a black one instead, and a small black or brownish patch at the front of their crest.