Pileated Woodpecker North America’s Largest Woodpecker

The pileated woodpecker, with its massive body, rested awkwardly on the suet feeder. He pecked at a berry in the suet, took in his surroundings, and dared any bird, to uproot his immediate feeding pleasure. Because of its massive size and its red pointed cap, this large bird can draw anyone's attention rather quickly. By learning more about the bird, you can determine whether you can and want to attract this unique bird to your own backyard.

The pileated woodpecker is one of the largest woodpecker’s in North America. The only other woodpecker that can beat him in size is the ivory-billed woodpecker (To this date, the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker is said to be extremely endangered or extinct in North America).

The male is about 17 inches in length, with white stripes accenting the head and throat and a red cap of feathers on the top of the head. It’s upper and lower parts are black, with white on the underside of the wings. The female is similar to the male, except its red cap is not as far-reaching as that of the male.

Although their main diet consists of wood-boring insects, they can be enticed to feed on nuts and fruits on occasion.

You will usually find the bird excavating dead trees, foraging for food. The bird will pry the bark loose from a dead tree, then listening closely for any insect movement. If it hears any insect movement, the bird will use its long, sharp and pointed bill to bore a hole. Then, grasping the tree with its claws and with the added support of its ridge tail, the bird will stick its barbed tongue into the hole to gather its bounty.

In many cases, the bird will drill huge, rectangular holes. Some of these holes can be so deep that it can cause a small tree to break in half.

The mating of the male and female pileated woodpecker begins in late spring. The mating act begins with a mating dance in which one bird, will bow, scrape, and step sideways in a circle around the other.

Both woodpeckers will stay together on territory they claim as theirs for life. However, during the fall and winter they will roost in different areas, mainly for protection from predators.

In addition, the pileated woodpecker usually roosts alone at night. Within the roost tree, you will find many entrance holes. This allows the bird alternative routes to get away from its predators.

The pileated woodpecker nests in dead wood 15 to 70 feet above the ground. The opening is usually 3-1/2 inches in length with a depth of 10-24 inches deep. However, as to the nest’s creature comforts, it is not elaborate. In most cases, you will either find an unlined cavity in a dead tree, with possible wood chips for added comfort.

The female will lay 3-5 eggs with both the female and male taking turns incubating the eggs for 15 to 16 days. Once hatched, both the female and male will feed the young. After 24 to 28 days, the young will be old enough to leave the nest.

Though the young can now fly on their own, they will stay with their parents until fall. Until fall, the parents will feed and teach the young how to find their own food. When September comes, the young will go their separate ways.

There are different ways in which to attract the pileated woodpecker to your backyard. The least expensive way is by placing a suet feeder with suet of peanut and fruit, or by hanging field corn out for the woodpecker.

The expensive and time-consuming option is to plant fruit bearing and/or nut bearing trees, plants and bushes to attract the bird.

Fruit Producing Trees or Plants

1. Elderberries

2. Pears

3. Apples

4. Mulberries

5. Strawberries

6. Grapes

Nut-bearing Trees

1. Acorns

2. Hazelnuts

3. Beechwood

In my case, the pileated woodpeckers make their home in a small wooded area behind our home, and come out on occasion, to feed on our suet feeder and field corn that we hooked on a nail.

Even though many suggest keeping up dead trees to attract the pileated woodpecker, I find the possibility of termites infesting my home to be a strong deterrent for me. Sure, the bird does eat termites, but not enough to protect my home. Thus, thank you, but no thanks.

To conclude, I find myself lucky just to have the opportunity to get a glimpse of the pileated woodpecker. Thus, old bird watching me always has the suet ready to greet the shy bird. I never see them much in winter, so every spring, I hope to once again to have the opportunity to catch a view of this massive, wonderful looking bird.