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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>Jane</span> Sat, 08/26/2017 - 15:54
I kept playing this recording and he flew over me twice!
<span>Wendy Bramlett</span> Tue, 07/11/2017 - 08:26
We have one ( or more) that live around our house. Frankly, he was a pest in that he attacked and pecked at our windows on the house. We tried several strategies- but the one that seemed to work the best was taping an owl picture to the window. This seems to have stopped his "attacks" ( probably because he doesn't see his own reflection as well any more)
<span>Ken Maurizi</span> Tue, 05/30/2017 - 10:19
We have a local colony of pileated woodpeckers. When walking our dog thru a small lakeside park, we saw a family of pileated woodpeckers on the ground. Male and female were both showing the fledglings how (and what?) to eat and feeding them. I hear them often, but seeing them is rare and then to see a family of them was a once in a lifetime event.
<span>Craig</span> Sun, 05/28/2017 - 22:55
Had one in our back yard yesterday early afternoon, eating berries and looking for insects.
<span>Sandy Snyder</span> Sun, 05/21/2017 - 19:02
The pileated woodpecker I have seen and heard at the edge of the woods behind my house is magnificent. There are at least 2, because I have heard two distinct pecking sounds from different areas at the same time. I live in central Pennsylvania near Altoona. I have seen these woodpeckers sporadically for the last 20 years.
<span>Sarah Kelly Potts</span> Wed, 04/12/2017 - 09:41
We live in Southern Alabama about 10 miles outside of Evergreen in the community of Flat Rock. Our home is in the edge of the woods, and I love to watch them land in our trees in the front of the house and make their distinctive call. We call them Indian Hens.
<span>Debra</span> Tue, 09/13/2016 - 19:55
There is a make in the woods behind our home. He occasionally comes to feast from the woodpecker suet on our deck. He does not seem to be afraid as the feeder is only 5 feet from the back door. Boy is he magnificient!
<span>M A</span> Mon, 06/20/2016 - 18:14
We have seen several in the trees at our home in the mtns of western North Carolina.They are not particularly shy. We have been hearing their calls a lot lately.
<span>Anna</span> Mon, 03/21/2016 - 22:48
I have three Pileated Woodpecker, that I have seen at the same time. There many be more. I watched three yesterday move up and down a tree, then fly to another tree, doing this back and forth till they flew away. They are here all year. I'm not able to get to close. A few years ago I was witness to two babies. I now know their call, so I stop what I'm doing to watch them. Sometimes they see me and move to hide around athe tree. Anna Bozeman Fort White Florida
<span>Colleen</span> Thu, 03/03/2016 - 08:59
There's a resident pair here in southeast Ohio, I read they have a 10 acre territory. One will fly high overhead calling the whole time, then the second one will fly overhead. They are elusive, love dead trees and carpenter ants. When I hear them I feel like I'm in a deep jungle. They also make me sad for the extinct ivory-billed woodpecker and the passenger pigeon.