Pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) These birds inhabit midlatitude coniferous and deciduous forests and wetland areas in the eastern U.S., the Pacific coastal states, and across the breadth of southern Canada. Some individuals reside for part of the year in Mexico. (more) pileated woodpecker bird Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/animal/pileated-woodpecker Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/animal/pileated-woodpecker Also known as: Dryocopus pileatus, log-cock Written by Laura Payne Laura Payne is a freelance writer whose work covers many topics. She is a former Wayne State University linguistics instructor. Laura Payne, John P. Rafferty John P. Rafferty writes about Earth processes and the environment. He serves currently as the editor of Earth and life sciences, covering climatology, geology, zoology, and other topics that relate to... John P. Rafferty•All Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Nov 7, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot a Question Ask the Chatbot a Question { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is the appearance of the pileated woodpecker? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The pileated woodpecker has black plumage, a red crest, and bold white stripes on the face and neck. Adults of both sexes have yellow eyes. Males can be distinguished from females by the presence of a red stripe on each cheek, whereas females have a shorter crest with red coloration ending on the top of the head." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Where can pileated woodpeckers be found? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Pileated woodpeckers inhabit midlatitude coniferous and deciduous forests and wetland areas in North America. Their geographic range includes much of the eastern U.S., parts of the Pacific coastal states, and a broad swath of the southern half of Canada, extending from British Columbia to Labrador. Some birds fly as far south as Mexico." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How does the pileated woodpecker reproduce? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The species is monogamous and breeds in the spring. The female selects a male after a courtship ritual involving wing and gliding displays. The pair work together to excavate a nest in a dead tree. After mating occurs, the female will lay three to five eggs, which are incubated by both parents. Young first venture from the nest at one month of age, but they are not fully independent until two to three months later." } } ] } Top Questions What is the appearance of the pileated woodpecker? The pileated woodpecker has black plumage, a red crest, and bold white stripes on the face and neck. Adults of both sexes have yellow eyes. Males can be distinguished from females by the presence of a red stripe on each cheek, whereas females have a shorter crest with red coloration ending on the top of the head.

　　Where can pileated woodpeckers be found? Pileated woodpeckers inhabit midlatitude coniferous and deciduous forests and wetland areas in North America. Their geographic range includes much of the eastern U.S., parts of the Pacific coastal states, and a broad swath of the southern half of Canada, extending from British Columbia to Labrador. Some birds fly as far south as Mexico.

　　How does the pileated woodpecker reproduce? The species is monogamous and breeds in the spring. The female selects a male after a courtship ritual involving wing and gliding displays. The pair work together to excavate a nest in a dead tree. After mating occurs, the female will lay three to five eggs, which are incubated by both parents. Young first venture from the nest at one month of age, but they are not fully independent until two to three months later.

　　pileated woodpecker, (Dryocopus pileatus), species of large nonmigratory woodpecker known for its black plumage, red crest, and bold white stripes on the face and neck. It is the largest living woodpecker in North America. Only the ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) and the imperial woodpecker (C. imperialis) were larger. However, the last official sightings of those birds took place in 1944 and 1956, respectively. Pileated woodpeckers inhabit midlatitude coniferous and deciduous forests and wetland areas in the eastern U.S., the Pacific coastal states, and across the breadth of southern Canada. Some individuals reside for part of the year in Mexico. The ...(100 of 1305 words)

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