Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus. Carpenter ants and wood-boring beetle larvae; wild fruit.
Woodpeckers (Picidae)Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatus
- Scientific name
- Dryocopus pileatus
- Length
- 15.8–19.3 in
- Weight
- 8.8–12.3 oz
- Nest
- Large excavated cavity in dead trees
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 3–5 eggs
- Incubation
- 15–18 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Crow-sized, black with bold white face stripes
- Flaming red crest
- White wing linings in flight
Voice
Wild, ringing 'kuk-kuk-kuk' laugh; loud slow drumming.
Diet and feeding
Carpenter ants and wood-boring beetle larvae; wild fruit.
What do pileated woodpeckers eat? · Best feeder for pileated woodpeckers
Pileated Woodpeckers by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Alberta | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | April–June |
| British Columbia | Year-round resident | May–June |
| California | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Florida | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Idaho | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Iowa | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Maine | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Manitoba | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Montana | Year-round resident | May–June |
| New Brunswick | Year-round resident | May–June |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | May–June |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | April–June |
| New York | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Year-round resident | May–June |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Northwest Territories | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Nova Scotia | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Ontario | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Prince Edward Island | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Quebec | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Saskatchewan | Year-round resident | May–June |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Texas | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Washington | Year-round resident | April–June |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | May–June |
Frequently asked
What do pileated woodpeckers eat?
Carpenter ants and wood-boring beetle larvae; wild fruit. At feeders: suet.
How big is a Pileated Woodpecker?
15.8–19.3 in long and 8.8–12.3 oz.
Do pileated woodpeckers use birdhouses?
No. Large excavated cavity in dead trees.
Sources
- Pileated Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Pileated Woodpecker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Pileated Woodpecker — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.