In the past week the pileated woodpecker has made several visits to our back yard buffet. I heard her announce her arrival early this evening when I was cleaning up the kitchen, so I took my camera and sat on the patio after supper. It wasn’t long before she flew in. First she swung by the new suet feeder, but didn’t hang around long enough to take a taste of the bark butter suet. However, she soon returned and this time grabbed on to the large suet holder Bob hung from a post way back under the trees, and, finally, as I sat on the patio bench, she returned to the new feeder, the one that was closest to me. I snapped away as she feasted on the bark butter. She was happy, and so was I. Here’s hoping she likes it enough to return often. I think there may be a male in the neighborhood too because last week two pileateds arrived together. At the time, I didn’t have my camera, so I missed the photo opp. Today I didn’t make that mistake! Here are a few more pictures of today’s visitor:
Interesting facts about this big bird:
- Male and female pileated look very much alike, but the male has a red mustache.
- They nest in cavities in trees that they excavate. The noise they make while digging these holes can be heard for quite a distance.
- They will make up to 16 holes in each tree to allow escape routes in case a predator enters the tree, and they peck the bark around the entrance holes to make the sap run. That keeps some predators, such as snakes, from entering their nest.
- Their favorite food is carpenter ants, and the young are fed regurgitated insects.
- A group of pileated woodpeckers are collectively known as a “crown” of woodpeckers.
- Sometimes people call them “Woody Woodpecker” after the cartoon, which definitely resembles a pileated woodpecker.
That’s enough for this post. I hope you enjoyed seeing the big bird.
Thanks for stopping by today. See you soon!
Trail Walker
What a beautiful bird. It’s great when you get to see nature right in your backyard 🙂
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Thank you. I think it is beautiful too, so I’m always glad to see it.
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He or she was at our suet block yesterday. Unfortunately, I think I frightened the woodpecker away. Looking for it to return. Backyard neighbor
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I’m hoping to see her (and her mate) on a regular basis. That would be fun.
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What fun!
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Yes, it was a fun surprise. They’ve returned for two other brief visits in the past week. This time they stayed long enough for a photo opp.
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Lovely shots and what a bird to have visit!
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Thanks, Laura. She (and her mate) have been back several times. I hope they continue to visit.
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I saw one of these woodpeckers at the lake recently. I couldn’t miss the red head! 🙂 It was a ways away but I got a few shots with my camera. Your photos are excellent of course! I also enjoyed reading more about them – thanks for sharing your knowledge. 🙂
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Thank you, Jill. I love watching them.
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