Species Guide: Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
Family: Picidae
The Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is one of the most striking and largest woodpecker species in North America. Known for its crow-sized body, bold appearance, and loud calls, this bird inhabits forests across much of the United States, Canada, and parts of Mexico. Its presence is often more easily detected by sound or by evidence of its extensive foraging work on trees than by sight.
Appearance
Male
Adult males are prominent with a mostly black body, a vivid red crest on their head, and distinctive white stripes on the face and neck. Males also possess a red line extending from the crest down toward the bill, often described as a “mustache” stripe. In flight, white patches on the underwings are visible.
Female
Females resemble males in overall coloration and structure, but the red markings are less extensive. The facial stripes are similar, but females do not have the red mustache-like stripe. Instead, their forehead may show a black or slightly buff patch in front of the red crest.
Juvenile
Juvenile Pileated Woodpeckers have a muted version of the adult plumage. Their crest is shorter and less pronounced, and the overall feather colors are less intense. Young birds also often have brownish eyes rather than the bright yellow seen in adults.
Diet
Pileated Woodpeckers are omnivorous, feeding primarily on insects, especially carpenter ants and the larvae of wood-boring beetles. They forage by excavating deep into decaying or dead wood and by peeling bark to reach hidden insects. In addition to insects, they also consume fruits, nuts, and berries, particularly when insect availability is low. Some may visit the feeder stations offered by people.
Habitat
These woodpeckers favor mature forests and woodlands with large trees, standing dead wood (snags), and downed logs. They are found in both deciduous and mixed coniferous forests. While they prefer older forests, they also occupy secondary and fragmented forest patches and can even be seen in suburban areas if suitable trees are present.
Behavior
Call and Drumming
Pileated Woodpeckers are highly vocal. Their most common call is a loud, ringing sequence often heard before the bird is seen.
Pileated Woodpecker Call:
They also produce deep drumming sounds on hollow or dead wood as a form of communication related to territory and courtship.
Pileated Woodpecker Drumming:
Life Cycle
Pairs are generally monogamous and often remain together year-round. Courtship can involve wing spreading, head movements, and other displays. Both parents participate in excavating a nest cavity, typically in a dead tree at a significant height. The female lays three to five white eggs per clutch, and both parents share incubation duties for about 18 days. Young birds fledge at around one month of age but may remain with parents for additional weeks to learn to forage.
Foraging and Movement
Though adapted for clinging to tree trunks and branches, these woodpeckers are strong flyers. They may also occasionally move around on the ground to access food sources.
Biometrics
| Length | 40-49 cm |
| Wing Span | 66-75 cm |
| Body Weight | y250-350 grams |
| Longevity | 10-13 Years |
Natural Predators
Although large and formidable in their forest environment, Pileated Woodpeckers do have natural predators. These include birds of prey such as hawks and owls, as well as mammalian carnivores like martens and foxes. Eggs and chicks may be vulnerable to smaller predators, especially when left unattended for short periods. Some mortality also occurs from accidental collisions with human structures.
Relationship to Humans
Pileated Woodpeckers have fascinated people for generations with their dramatic appearance and distinctive calls. Their cavities provide important habitat for other forest wildlife species, such as owls, ducks, and small mammals that cannot excavate such spaces themselves. In folklore and stories from Indigenous cultures, woodpeckers sometimes appear as symbols of perseverance or creativity, reflecting the bird’s persistent craftsmanship on trees.
In some human settings, these woodpeckers are considered beneficial because they help control insect pests in forests. However, they may also damage wooden structures or utility poles when excavating, leading to occasional conflicts with property owners.
There is a misconception promoted across the web including several major ornithological organizations, that Pileated Woodpeckers have shock-absorbing skulls! Unfortunately, this isn’t supported by science. They have evolved through natural selection a mechanism that allows the energy from hammering to be transmitted through their skulls without taking damage due to the small size and shape of their brains.2
Conservation Status
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Pileated Woodpecker is classified as Least Concern due to its wide range and stable or increasing population. Estimates suggest a population of approximately 2.6 million individuals, with numbers generally rising as forests recover and as the species adapts to a range of forest conditions, including fragmented habitats. While not endangered, the species benefits from the preservation of mature forest stands and retention of dead wood important for foraging and nesting. Federal protections also help safeguard individuals within their range.
Global
Conservation Status
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References
- Lovette, I. et al. (2016) The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, handbook of bird biology. Third edition. Chichester: Wiley. [Accessed 09/01/2026]
- Darwin, C. (2012) On the Origin of Species. ePub edition. London: William Collins. [Accessed 09/01/2026]
CITATIONS
- By Jebbles – This file was derived from: BlankMap-World.svg:, CC0 [Accessed 09/01/2026] ↩︎
- Biewener, A.A. (2022) ‘Physiology: Woodpecker skulls are not shock absorbers’, Current biology, 32(14), pp. R767–R769. [Accessed 09/01/2026] ↩︎
