16.5 inches long. The Pileated Woodpecker is a very large, crow-sized woodpecker. It has a prominent red crest and a white throat. The body plumage is mostly black with a white stripe extending from the bill down the sides of the neck to the upper flanks. In flight the upperwing shows a large white patch at the base of the primaries and the underwing has an entirely white lining. The male has a red forehead and red moustache. The female has a black forehead and black moustache.
The Pileated Woodpecker is an uncommon bird in the Forest. At least one pair has bred in the Forest for the last ten years or so.
The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker found in North America. It is a permanent resident of deciduous or coniferous forests. It prefers dead trees in which to excavate nest cavities. Only large-diameter trees have enough girth to contain nest and roost cavities of this species. Due to its large size and strong chisel-shaped bill, it is particularly adept at excavating. The diet consists primarily of wood-dwelling ants and beetles. The drumming sound is very loud and sounds like the tree is being hit by a wooden mallet. The call is a single loud “wek, wek, wek” or a call that is similar to a flicker “yucka, yucka, yucka”.
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