The avian slice of ‘A Bestiary’ continues with the Picidae family of woodpeckers . . . and where else to begin but with the most striking and strident of these birds . . . North America’s own . . . Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus.
Walking about in the gardens and fields one early spring morning, I was very fortunate to witness a unique ritual happening along the edge of the north forest not far from a beloved serpentine native Black Cherry.
I was grateful for the warm and bright rays of sunlight that lit up the fiery red tuffs atop two male Pileated Woodpeckers who seem to be strolling along the ground together. The flashes of red captured my attention and I stood transfixed, in awe of these beautiful forest birds as they matched each other in varying gestures reminding me of thoughtful choreography.
The sequences continue for over ten minutes, and at that time, as well as, when I first wrote about this amazing event, I believed the pair to be a male and female and the dance to be a kind of courtship ritual. Thanks to a fellow blogger I did look more carefully to see the red lines drawn out from the bill and the red crested helmet that falls down to the top of the bill. Seeing it now so clearly it astounds me I failed to see these telltale male markings right away.
If this is a territorial contest between two Pileated Woodpeckers, I must say that these large crow-sized woodpeckers are very mild mannered, for there is nothing threatening in their act of mirroring one another’s movements.
After about ten minutes and over a hundred photos, the Pileated Woodpeckers flew off in the same direction. Perhaps they came to territorial terms through these fluid gesticulations or just were flying off to seek a more private clearing for their dance. If you would like to see more of their remarkable animated choreography click here.
In the spring of 2011 I chanced to capture another pair of Pileated Woodpeckers and this time it is indeed a male and female . . . most likely a monogamous couple . . . where the male is trying to woo the female, who seems to be more interested in the bark of our stately Rock Maple than her mate. The couple will stay together within their territory throughout the year and their lives but if one should die the other will find another partner. If these birds were into sweet sap these old trees would be in trouble. The pine grove, however, is where I do see many large rectangular holes and these, along with other excavations of the Pileated Woodpeckers, are often visited by other birds as well.
Two easy ways to determine the sex of these birds is clear in the photo above. Note the black forehead of the female (the red crest does not run down to the top of the bill) and that there is no red streak along the zebra-like lines continuing from the bill.
This past spring I was truly amazed to see another unusual encounter involving a Pileated Woodpecker, only this happening was between a female Pileated Woodpecker and a male Bluebird. The bluebirds were nesting quite a good distance from the crippled Black Cherry that was the venue for this strange duet . . . so I was quite uncertain as to just what the bluebird was so upset about.
Both the Bluebird and the Pileated Woodpecker do seem to come to an understanding and things settle down to the normal comings and goings of avian beasts within this wildlife habitat. In fairness to the male Bluebird . . . he had been challenged quite a bit by another male Bluebird and Tree Swallows, which may have left him a bit unnerved. Though he surely did show a bit of pluck in going after such an over sized bird.
I once had a ritual of walking down into the forest each morning . . . completing a loop to visit some of my favorite trees . . . then climbing back up the east facing hill to my house. One morning many years ago I chanced upon a female Pileated Woodpecker feeding a couple of nestlings. I never witnessed the male carving out the nest hole nor the female adding the final touches on their oblong opening and nest but was happy for this once chance encounter of seeing a mother and her nestlings at such close proximity.
It was a bit surprising to see one of these large birds perching in a viburnum bush this summer, but since they include berries in their omnivorous diet I should not have been surprised. The Pileated Woodpecker diet is largely made up of carpenter ants and they supplement those tasty morsels with flies, termites, woodboring beetle larvae and other insects.
When ambling through the woods I often discover piles of wood chips and look up to find the uniquely chiseled rectangular hole or holes hammered out by the Pileated Woodpeckers. Often I hear their calls . . . especially in the early morning just before sunrise. Their territorial and expressive drumming carries up from the forest throughout the spring and summer. I am forever peering out when hearing their calls and drumming to see if by luck I might capture their flight across the sky or perchance get a closer glance when one or two might alight nearby.
It is very important to allow a forest to fall as it will and leave those essential fallen and standing dead trees to decompose back into the earth in their own time, for there is vital life within for many birds and even mammals to partake of.
© 2013, Carol Duke. All rights reserved. This article is the property of Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens. If you are reading this at another site, please report that to us
About Carol Duke
Fabulous capture of the pair! We have pileated in our woods but I’ve never been able to catch them on film. They are glorious birds.
Thank you Sarah! They are glorious indeed. I would imagine in your Maine woods you have many to enjoy. Good luck getting a photo!
Carol Duke recently posted..A New Year ~ A New Installment to ‘A Bestiary’ ~ Pileated Woodpecker
Oh, Carol! How I enjoyed this post. Pileateds are among of my favorite birds, having been the first bird to be nesting on my property when I purchased it some 7 years ago.
These photos do such justice to their antics and colorful ways. Having seen their whiteness below as the fly off, I often wished for a photo to convey they beauty to those less fortunate who don’t get to witness this beautiful bird. Well…you have accomplished that and more. I love the bluebird take. Having both species, both of which breed here, I too have witnessed the bluebirds interaction with the woodpeckers. My take is that since the bluebirds often reuse the nesting sites set up by woodpeckers, that the bluebird is merely doing a “consult” on housing construction for when they do the “repurchase”. Perhaps they are picking out colors for the walls.
Thanks so much for this. I think the best of your bestiary series!
Loret T. Setters recently posted..Four, I tell you FOUR!
Loret, these birds are among my favorites too. Amazing creatures really and nearly daily I have the joy of seeing them or at least hearing their calls. Thank you so for your generous (as always) words of support. That is a fun take on the Bluebird/Pileated encounter. I think the Bluebirds here prefer the houses I put up for them though. ;>)) I love your captures of the Pileated Woodpeckers too and have linked to them in this post. Here is hoping we both may get a sighting and better yet photos of a pair feeding their young this year!
Carol Duke recently posted..A New Year ~ A New Installment to ‘A Bestiary’ ~ Pileated Woodpecker
I am fascinated by these birds and I always love seeing them, but I’ve never been fortunate enough to see anything like what you’ve posted here. Your photography and observations are wonderful and engaging. Thanks so much.
Thank YOU Bill. I do feel very blessed to share a habitat with Pileated Woodpeckers and I am very happy that you enjoyed the post.
Carol Duke recently posted..A New Year ~ A New Installment to ‘A Bestiary’ ~ Pileated Woodpecker
Thank you for such wonderful photos of these truly amazing birds. It always amazes me that they are so timid and gentle and yet so BIG! We love hearing them as they fly toward our suet feeders and it always seems like the landing of the Titanic when they arrive. All the other birds scatter even though the Pileated never hassles even the smallest of birds. It truly saddens and enrages me that at least one of our neighbors shoots any woodpecker landing on his house since he is sure all of them bore holes in his siding. We’re still working on convincing him otherwise.
Kathy Settevendemie recently posted..Barbinus rustifolia
Thank you Kathy. It must be quite a sight to see Pileated Woodpeckers on a suet feeder. How horrid to have such a neighbor . . . woodpeckers often drum on our house and signs etc. but it is mostly to make sounds . . . they seem to always try different surfaces for effect. Perhaps you could talk to other neighbors and all somehow invite your trigger happy neighbor over to educate him. Good Luck with that.
Carol Duke recently posted..A New Year ~ A New Installment to ‘A Bestiary’ ~ Pileated Woodpecker
I thoroughly enjoyed your blog, Carol. We enjoy seeing and hearing these birds when we hike in the woods of Eastern Kentucky. However, I can imagine what a treat it is for you to have them so near. I appreciate knowing the difference in the male and female. So glad for your experiences and thanks for sharing.
Betty Hall recently posted..Red-breasted nuthatches
Thank you for your very kind support Betty. It is indeed a great treat for me to share the land and sky here with these majestic birds. I am so glad the illustration of the telltale signs of male and female helps you too.
Carol Duke recently posted..A New Year ~ A New Installment to ‘A Bestiary’ ~ Pileated Woodpecker
I appears that your assembled bestiary cooperates with you, in gratitude for their habitat, you may have spectacular photo ops.
Diana of Elephant’s Eye recently posted..Elephant’s Eye on False Bay
Yes, Diana, I do indeed have many great photo ops after all these years of working with the land. The important thing is to be ‘tuned in’ to their world and much is due to chance encounters. I am certain I miss as many great captures as I am able to obtain. Thanks for the terrific point . . . the more we create wildlife habitat the more animals we aid and the more enchanting encounters we may have . . . along with photo ops.
Carol Duke recently posted..A New Year ~ A New Installment to ‘A Bestiary’ ~ Pileated Woodpecker
This is my favorite of all woodpeckers. They’re so big and fabulous, and your pictures are spectacular!
I would expect smaller cavity-nesting birds such as bluebirds and tree swallows to get nervous when these big woodpeckers are around, since they are perfectly capable of eating small baby birds, though their main diet consists of wood-boring grubs and carpenter ants.
A little spelling note on your first sentence: Like all animal taxonomic families, the name for this one ends in -idae, thus Picidae.
Thank you James and a special thanks for the typo correction. OOPS!
I have never heard of a Pileated Woodpecker eating other cavity-nesting baby birds. Fascinating! Perhaps you are just saying they are capable due to their size?
Good question. I was mainly saying I could imagine small cavity nesters finding them intimidating, because of their size and tendency to look into holes and enlarge them. So I did a little bit of an internet search, and found that apparently they are considered predators of (presumably baby) wood ducks! http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/pileated_woodpecker.htm
Another site – http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pileated_Woodpecker/lifehistory – says this, “Dead trees are a valuable resource as nest sites or shelter for birds and other animals, and Pileated Woodpeckers battle for ownership with Wood Ducks, European Starlings, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds, and Great Crested Flycatchers.”
Fascinating about the Wood Ducks James! I so appreciate your sharing these great links.
Carol Duke recently posted..A New Year ~ A New Installment to ‘A Bestiary’ ~ Pileated Woodpecker
We accidentally mist-netted one in Shenandoah while studying the impact of white tail deer on forest bird population. It was an exciting close encounter with a special bird.
Beatriz Moisset recently posted..Pollinator Conservation Short Course
Beatriz, Your experience was a great deal ‘closer’ than any of my encounters. I imagine that was an interesting study. Thanks for contributing.
Carol Duke recently posted..A New Year ~ A New Installment to ‘A Bestiary’ ~ Pileated Woodpecker
Fantastic photos. I have never seen the pileated (nor a bluebird) they are quite magnificent!
Thanks Patty! The Pileated and Bluebird are both my favorites and strikingly beautiful to see in our daily lives.
Carol Duke recently posted..A New Year ~ A New Installment to ‘A Bestiary’ ~ Pileated Woodpecker
I love the Pileateds! I’ve only been blessed to see them in my garden once, but it was amazing. I had taken the dogs out to the yard and was standing on the deck waiting for them to finish their business when I heard a strange noise. It resembled a woodpecker tapping, but it was so different from the noise made by my usual Downy, Hairy, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. I searched the neighbor’s trees and finally found the source of the tapping — a Pileated! I ran inside to grab my camera and was fortunate to get some shots off. Imagine my surprise when I zoomed in to see that there were actually 3 Pileateds in that tree! A momma, a male, and a juvenile. I felt so incredibly blessed to have had such a wonderful visitation that day. Thanks for sharing your amazing photos
Carole Sevilla Brown recently posted..Speaking at Todays Horticulture Symposium at Longwood Gardens
Thank you Carole. How wonderful you were able to see the entire family that day! Great story.
Carol Duke recently posted..A New Year ~ A New Installment to ‘A Bestiary’ ~ Pileated Woodpecker
The deep drumming sound made by these beauties is very distinct and as soon as I hear it I run to see where they are…they love my big ash with its ants which is one reason we have to take it down…but we are leaving part of the tree for the birds.
These birds are also beloved by my husband who loves their sightings…fabulous stories Carol.
Donna@Gardens Eye View recently posted..Gardens Eye Journal-January 2013
Thank you Donna. Yes, the drumming . . . especially in the spring . . . is quite a sound.
Carol Duke recently posted..A New Year ~ A New Installment to ‘A Bestiary’ ~ Pileated Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpeakers are amazing. They are so large I am usually at first startled when I first see them. The loud, laughing-like, call sounds so exotic as if you are in some tropical jungle.
Arthur in the Garden!
Arthur in the Garden! recently posted..My cookware comes into the new century!
Yes, I so agree Arthur. I always think they are prehistoric looking too. The Pileated’s beauty and calls certainly do add an element of the exotic to the environment here at Flower Hill Farm.
Carol Duke recently posted..A New Year ~ A New Installment to ‘A Bestiary’ ~ Pileated Woodpecker
Pileated woodpeckers are magnificent birds. We have them on our farm but I’ve never gotten pictures, and haven’t seen that sort of territorial dance either. A wonderful collection of shots you’ve put together here!
Sweetbay recently posted..Hay
Thank you Sweetbay. Best of luck in capturing one of the Pileated’s that share your land and farm.
Carol Duke recently posted..A New Year ~ A New Installment to ‘A Bestiary’ ~ Pileated Woodpecker
Carol, Your photographs are always amazing. You must be very very quiet when you walk. I treasure every post of yours for the beauty of the photographs and the vast information you pass on.
commonweeder recently posted..Me and My Garden Journals
Dear Pat, Thank you for these kindest of words offering support for my efforts. I do try to be very quiet and aware that I am entering another world when I venture out into the gardens, fields and forest. To not be seen or heard first is my motto. I was amazed that the Pileateds did not see me. I am not good estimating distances but I would guess that they were about sixty or seventy feet away and I was in wide open sight of them. It was an amazing experience watching them and I was so glad I had my camera!
Carol Duke recently posted..Recalling Landscape Tapestries of Spring Twenty-Twelve
how wonderful to learn more about these beautiful birds, thank you for that!
lovely to see your photos too and see them inter acting.
i have been told that they only bore holes in unhealthy trees, ones that insects live in. that healthy trees hold their own from creatures moving in. do you know is this is true?
Thanks so much Tammie! I can only say from my experience . . . I have seen holes in healthy (seemingly) white pine within a pine grove in my forest. These were deep holes so I surmised they were after the resin. Perhaps there were insects there. I understand they will chip away at the bark around their nest portal to keep snakes etc. from the nestlings. source – http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/pileated_woodpecker.htm
Carol Duke recently posted..Gazing Into A Wintry Landscape of Wonder