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Bird Sounds: Pileated Woodpecker

A pileated woodpecker on a branch
Image Credit:
Pixabay
Written By: Heidi Stonehill Executive Editor

Can you identify the call of the pileated woodpecker? Listen and learn about this woodland bird.

The pileated woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in North America (after the ivory-billed woodpecker, which is presumed to be extinct). These birds can reach up to 19 inches from tail to tip and sport a wingspan of up to 30 inches! 

The pileated woodpecker gets its name from the bright-red crest on its head. “Pileated,” which comes from the Latin word for “-capped,” ultimately stems from a type of Ancient Greek hat known as a pilos (pileus in Latin).

Pileated Woodpecker

In late winter, the male pileated woodpecker prepares for the upcoming nesting season, which typically starts in April. Using his incredible bill, he hammers out a nesting area in a dead tree and hopes to attract a mate. Once paired, pileated woodpeckers usually hang around their territory throughout the year, defending it from interlopers. Amazingly, they do not reuse their nests from year to year, which makes the hollow an attractive home for other forest dwellers, such as raccoons and owls.

Have you heard a pileated woodpecker in the wild? Add your comments below. Be sure to let us know where you live or where you’ve heard this bird sound before!

Click here to listen to the sounds of other birds! Bird sounds compliments of The Macaulay Library at The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 

Bird Sounds

About The Author

Heidi Stonehill

Heidi Stonehill

Executive Editor

Heidi Stonehill is the Executive Editor for The Old Farmer’s Almanac, joining the team in 2001. As such, she manages the content development of the Almanac’s line of wall, engagement, box, and special...

Read more from Heidi Stonehill

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Comments

<span>Jeanne Mcmahon</span> Sun, 04/28/2013 - 07:42
We have a nesting pair of these giants. Our home has a mixed deciduous and pine forest and they frequently are drumming or foraging on fallen trees. Magnificent to watch them at our suet feeder.
<span>June A.</span> Sat, 04/27/2013 - 18:03
I have seen a pileated woodpecker in my yard the past two days. I live in southeast Alabama, and have pecan trees. They are eating some left behind pecans off the ground.
<span>Curtis Ellerbe</span> Wed, 04/10/2013 - 12:21
We had three of these woodpeckers land on an oak tree in our yard in West Monroe, La. @1-2 years ago. Since then, an occastional sighting of a single one in our yard.
<span>Sherry P</span> Sun, 02/17/2013 - 04:09
Yes we have one here. I am in Jacksonville Florida. He is huge and beautiful!! You can hear his pecking from quite a good distance when he moves around.
<span>Anonymousgodsdog</span> Thu, 02/14/2013 - 10:58
Have seen and heard Pileated woodpeckers on our land in Corralitos (Monterey Bay area) Ca. We feel extremely fortunate to have them here as it appears to be near the southern most edge of their western range. Any tips on making them feel more at home?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 02/19/2013 - 17:04
From what we've read, they are more comfortable and welcome if they have some big dead trees they can make a nesting place in. Another interesting bit of trivia is that Walter Lantz, the cartoonist who created Woody Woodpecker, apparently used the pileated woodpecker as his model for Woody. He’s got the fiery-red crest, and Woody’s signature is very similar to that of the P.W.
<span>Duane4238</span> Thu, 01/17/2013 - 18:27
I rarely see this woodpecker, but often hear him while sitting in the woods in Wyoming County, New York. It's such a beautiful call.
<span>Margery</span> Tue, 11/06/2012 - 12:38
I've seen a pair in the Six Mile Cypress Slough in Ft. Myers, FL.
<span>Marti Derow</span> Sat, 04/12/2014 - 14:13
There's a PILEATED WOODPECKER making a big hole on a tree on Tupelo Dr in Reflection Isles very close to the Six Mile Cypress Slough in Fort Myers, FL. I'm guessing he/she is building a nest? Definitely the biggest woodpecker I've ever seen.
<span>Cindy Jo</span> Wed, 10/10/2012 - 13:55
We see the Pileated Woodpeckers often in our woods near LaCrosse, WI