Pileated Woodpecker in November
Where pileated woodpeckers are in November, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
November in the Pileated Woodpecker's year
November settles into the winter pattern. Migration tapers to the last hardy stragglers, winter flocks form and start roaming, and birds map out the reliable food sources in their territory. Cold snaps push sudden rushes of activity to feeders.
For the Pileated Woodpecker specifically, November is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 50 states and provinces where pileated woodpeckers occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where pileated woodpeckers are in November
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In November, pileated woodpeckers are absent in the South, year-round resident across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in November
Pileated woodpeckers are not nesting in November. The season runs April–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, pileated woodpeckers put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in November
- Beetle larvae, sumac and holly fruit
Pileateds visit backyards near mature woods and use large tail-prop suet feeders.
Winter flocks are forming their routes now — a feeder kept full from November onward becomes a regular stop.
Full Pileated Woodpecker diet guide → · Best feeder for pileated woodpeckers →
Watching pileated woodpeckers this month
Pileated woodpeckers are settled and predictable in November, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region pileated woodpeckers are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Pileated Woodpecker month by month
Pileated Woodpecker by state
Frequently asked
Where are pileated woodpeckers in November?
In November, pileated woodpeckers are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do pileated woodpeckers nest in November?
No — pileated woodpeckers typically nest April through June at mid-latitudes.
What do pileated woodpeckers eat in November?
Beetle larvae, sumac and holly fruit.
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.