Pileated Woodpeckers

A few interesting facts about pileated woodpeckers. These are the largest woodpeckers in North America, and they have a distinctive red crest on their head. They are very loud and can be heard drumming on trees from far away

Pileated woodpeckers can excavate large holes in dead trees to make their nests. These holes can be up to 60 cm deep and 45 cm wide. Sometimes other animals, such as owls, ducks, or squirrels, use these holes as their homes too.

Pileated woodpeckers eat mostly insects, especially carpenter ants and wood-boring beetles. They use their long tongues to probe into crevices and holes to find their prey. They also eat fruits, nuts, and berries when they are available.

Pileated woodpeckers are monogamous and mate for life. They usually have one brood of 3 to 5 eggs per year. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks. Young woodpeckers stay with their parents for several months before leaving the nest.

Pileated woodpeckers are not endangered, but they face some threats from habitat loss, competition with other animals, and diseases. They need large areas of mature forest with plenty of dead trees to survive. They also avoid areas with high human activity and noise.