Outdoors & Nature Insider

Pileated Woodpecker Credit: Warren Greene/Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Okay folks - birding class is in session!

I'm thinking it's about time to start getting you guys up to speed on identifying some of Florida's birds. Don't worry, we'll start off slow and as time goes by, you'll have a good list of species that you will know on your next birding trip. In this post, let's learn about the pileated woodpecker.

Why the pileated woodpecker?  Well, mostly because it's an easy one to identify! With a glossy black body and a bright red crown, it's a cinch to spot.  Female coloration is almost the same, with more of a yellowish color on the forehead rather than red for the males. The pileated is one of the largest species of woodpeckers in North America - the average size of a mature adult is comparable to the size of a crow.  Two white stripes can be found on either side of the neck and on the tips of the wings.

Pileated woodpeckers love to drill holes in the decaying trunks of trees, making a distinctive knocking sound as they chip away at the bark looking for insects.They make their homes primarily in the trunks of decaying pine trees, creating a circular opening in the tree leading to a inner cavity where they nest. The sap of the decaying pine tree creates a protective barrier around the opening, keeping predators out.

So, what's the correct pronunciation? It's pronounced both ways, either "PIE-lee-ay-tid", or "PILL-ee-ay-tid", with more folks leaning toward the first pronunciation. Both ways are acceptable. Pileated woodpeckers make their home all over the eastern U.S., so there's a great chance you've seen this species in other places as well.

I've got a video here on my YouTube channel if anyone is interested in seeing the pileated woodpecker chipping away at an old oak tree. Is it a male or female? I'll let you figure it out!

For a great species locator to use in planning your next birding trip, check out the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Trip Planning Tool. It's a great new addition to the FWC website, and it will help you find species along the Great Florida Birding Trail. Now, get out those binoculars and go birding!