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Pileated Peckers

"Yuk Yuk Yuk Yuk Yuk" permeates my lawn as I hear the staccato thuds of pounding beaks upon the electrical poles outside my house. The sounds repeat and I delight in knowing three crowned gems are here to rattle my cage today.

Pileated Woodpeckers are one of the largest, if not the largest woodpecker to North America.



I have found this species frequent more deciduous, older pines forests. Their cavities carved out by a larger than life bill create homes for their young of which they rear in the spring. According to Cornell literature, their supply of food is sourced from local carpenter ants. Though when wood beetles, worms. and other insects present themselves the woodpeckers are opportunistic feeders.

Distinguishing woodpecker holes can become quite an art form, a useful ID tool for bird nerds a like. Just as their pecking resonate tone against granular surface will produce a profound ID, the oblong shape left in dead pines will serve as evidence to their presence.

As far as relationships go, Pileated Woodpeckers are monogamous. They rear clutch upon clutch, year after year until one or the other mate succumbs to old age. Others may tire of feathery travel, though life persists.

Another comparison can be made of the Pileated with relation to the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, pictured below. ( I will do another piece on this soon; the photo I found online I recognize from my own field book. I'll also do a segment on why I keep an old 4th addition Peterson Guide from the 80's in my back pocket.)




Both their stanch pose against a swampy, piney background project sensations of inquisitive domain over all in their path. To under estimate them would be a folly, to dismiss their charm would be a shame.

Written by Julia Wiggins

References:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pileated_Woodpecker/lifehistory
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9b/63/21/9b6321c85da62268e8d49de67b1bf631.jpg
https://www.audubon.org/news/photo-day-pileated-woodpecker

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