Overview

The Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is one of the largest woodpeckers in North America, nearly crow‑sized, with a striking red crest, black body, and bold white neck stripes. It is famous for chiseling large, rectangular holes in trees while searching for carpenter ants.

It is native to forested regions across Canada, the eastern U.S., the Great Lakes, and parts of the Pacific Coast.

Distribution & Habitat

Pileated Woodpeckers inhabit mature forests, both deciduous and coniferous, and prefer areas with large trees, deadwood, and downed logs. They occur year‑round across Canada, the eastern U.S., and parts of the Pacific Northwest. They are permanent residents, not migratory.

Diet/Foraging

Their diet is primarily insectivorous, with carpenter ants making up a major portion. They also eat beetle larvae, termites, fruits, and nuts. They excavate deep, rectangular holes to reach insects inside wood. 

Breeding & Nesting

Pileated Woodpeckers nest in tree cavities they excavate themselves. They typically lay 4 eggs, and both parents share incubation, with males incubating at night. Their nest cavities are ecologically important, later used by owls, ducks, bats, and other species.