Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
Photo: bellemare celine; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Call and song
Recording 1
Recording 2
Recording 3
About the Pileated Woodpecker
Large, unmistakable woodpecker. Mostly black, with red crest and bold white stripes on head and neck. Flies with deep, rowing wingbeats, almost like a crow but more irregular; also look for mostly white underwings and white patches on upperwing. Pairs inhabit mature deciduous or coniferous forests with large trees. Makes large oval-shaped holes in decaying trees to search for insects. Listen for slow resonant drumming and loud clucking calls. Occasionally visits feeders in appropriate habitat, especially fond of suet.
Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made
Where it has been recorded
Recorded in 3 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.
