We were fortunate today and saw not one but TWO
pileated woodpeckers. Although their range is quite large they are usually
heard and not seen. Here are some cool facts about the pileated woodpecker.
- The Pileated Woodpecker digs characteristically rectangular holes in trees to find ants. These excavations can be so broad and deep that they can cause small trees to break in half.
- A Pileated Woodpecker pair stays together on its territory all year round. It will defend the territory in all seasons, but will tolerate floaters during the winter.
- The feeding excavations of a Pileated Woodpecker are so extensive that they often attract other birds. Other woodpeckers, as well as House Wrens, may come and feed there.
- The Pileated Woodpecker prefers large trees for nesting. In young forests, it will use any large trees remaining from before the forest was cut. Because these trees are larger than the rest of the forest, they present a lightning hazard to the nesting birds.
Posted by
Paul Wiech
at
12:35 PM
2 comments:
Cool post. I learned some interesting stuff. I saw one on my suet cakes like yesterday.
Awesome footage! Thanks for sharing this. Pileated woodpeckers are one of my favorite birds! I have never seen two together. I'm taking kids out back today for a hike and to look for animal tracks. I'll be sure to share this video with them first and also tell them to keep their eyes peeled for any bird sightings too.
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