Female Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
Noble Co., Indiana
Photography: Michelle Ormiston


Pileated woodpeckers are one of the most striking birds of the U.S. woodlands.  Nearly the size of a crow they are hard to mistake with their long necks, red head crest and slow, powerful drumming.

While Carpenter Ants are the main diet of the Pileated Woodpecker they can also be attracted with suet.




    

 Male Pileated Woodpeckers have a red cheek stripe and red head patch from the base of it's bill to the head crest.   Females have a black cheek stripe and red crest only.

Nest holes are generally round while feeding holes are more rectangular.