Pileated woodpeeker facts and photos

[Hay Dude]

Take two Tylenol and turn up the volume...

Or a 12 gauge with #6 birdshot

 

[milkman636]

Or a 12 gauge with #6 birdshot

I considered taking this approach on Friday morning. We have a very large silver maple in our yard. It has great character and has to be one of the oldest around. My wife has been lining kids up in front of that tree for pictures since we moved here 18 years ago. And we have a swing on one of its branches.

It was crisp and still when I went out to the barn at daybreak, and I heard the distinct sound of one of these red-headed devils getting breakfast in that tree. I walked around the tree and confirmed I was hearing things accurately.

I briefly contemplated permanently ending his breakfast, but I know that would only help me feel better for a moment and not really help the tree. Besides my apple trees, It’s one of two trees in my yard that I do not want to lose.

 

[ArlyA]

I considered taking this approach on Friday morning. We have a very large silver maple in our yard. It has great character and has to be one of the oldest around. My wife has been lining kids up in front of that tree for pictures since we moved here 18 years ago. And we have a swing on one of its branches.

It was crisp and still when I went out to the barn at daybreak, and I heard the distinct sound of one of these red-headed devils getting breakfast in that tree. I walked around the tree and confirmed I was hearing things accurately.

I briefly contemplated permanently ending his breakfast, but I know that would only help me feel better for a moment and not really help the tree. Besides my apple trees, It’s one of two trees in my yard that I do not want to lose.

If birds are in your tree or siding pecking out worms, its already infested. The birds is a symptom of that, the infestation was not caused by the woodpeckers.

 

[milkman636]

If birds are in your tree or siding pecking out worms, its are already infested. Its a symptom of that, nothing caused by the woodpeckers.

The persistent pecking really did get under my skin after a while and it took restraint, which I was able to muster because I know he wasn't pulling up to eat at a buffet with no food.

It is really sad that it is the tree my wife uses for pictures, my kids swing on, and I use for shade in the summer while working on things. Overall it's the most enjoyed tree we have. It'll take over 100 years to replace this one when it goes, and I was hoping it had another 40 years in it.

 

[ArlyA]

Someone here took this in there yard.

 

[ArlyA]

In the woods yesterday and took these.

 

[milkman636]

In the woods yesterday and took these.

It’s amazing what they can do. I’m feeling fortunate for now that my visitor was only here a couple of mornings and seems to have moved on to better feeding. I can still hear him or one of his buddies working back in the neighboring woods to the south of us while the morning suns coming up. But, I haven’t seen or heard him close in last several days of being outside in this nice weather. It’s the mosquitos that are troublesome now, not the usual March problem to have here in lower Michigan.

 

[JeepHead]

I have at least 6 of these living in my woods, and maybe more. I have just seen and counted 6 in view at once. Very fun to watch!

 

[ArlyA]

Recent Pileated food photos.

 

[ArlyA]

Pileated woodpecker are ground feeders?? Yes they will walk across the forest floor looking for bugs to eat.

 

[ArlyA]

A few more found while out hiking. No innocent or healthy trees were harmed during these shoots.

 

[JethroB]

They will eat fallen in-shell pecans too. It’s amusing to watch them doing so. Peck, study, walk around it, peck, study, ……. They are determined.

 

[kozal01]

Man I hated these birds when I was hunting, sounded like they were framing a house all day! . They are awesome to see though and I do get them at my feeder pretty regularly. They like the suet cakes and the peanuts in the seed blend I buy.

 

[MossRoad]

Found this video online. Sure glad I don't have to break through a wall every time I want a snack!

 

[Blue Mule]

Unfortunately in April of each year here in central KY they start drilling on whatever they can find. Is it a mating activity? I don't know, but it's not uncommon for them to drill on the roof of my house, and that's a big no-no. I leave them alone as long as they leave my house alone.

 

[ArlyA]

Unfortunately in April of each year here in central KY they start drilling on whatever they can find. Is it a mating activity? I don't know, but it's not uncommon for them to drill on the roof of my house, and that's a big no-no. I leave them alone as long as they leave my house alone.

They mate for live but drum on things that have good resonance to sound there territory. Its not destructive and I know some use aluminum ladders that were left up. Makes for good drumming.