Nature Notes

One of the most recognizable sounds in the winter woods is that of the Pileated Woodpecker. Its large bill makes a distinctive thud on trees when excavating holes or searching for food and its loud drums and calls—including a fluttery “cuk-cuk-cuk”—pierce through the cold silence of the woods, often carrying long distances. Since Pileated Woodpeckers do not nest in the same cavity twice, their large excavations in trees become nesting and roosting sites for species that cannot excavate their own holes, such as owls and Wood Ducks. Because this behavior is so important in the forest ecosystem, Pileated Woodpeckers are considered a keystone species.

Adult male and female pairs typically stay within their home territory during the winter, and their large size makes them easy to observe without binoculars. Get outside this winter to observe and hear Pileated Woodpeckers.