1985. Shark Trivia Are They Really The Monsters Of The Deep, Or Are There More To Them? Population Status. Fruit from serviceberry and Oregon grape is sometimes on the menu, as well as nuts. Scientific name - Dryocopus pileatus Lifespan - 12 years (maximum recorded) Size - 44,5 cm (17,5 in) Weight - 11 oz (300 g) Wingspan - 28 in (70.5 cm) The Pileated Woodpecker ( Dryocopus pileatus) is a resident in the state and one of the largest woodpecker species in North America. Dryocopus pileatus is best recognized by its large, dull black body and red crest. Summary 7 The Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is a very large North American woodpecker, roughly crow-sized, inhabiting deciduous forests in eastern North America, the Great Lakes, the boreal forests of Canada, and parts of the Pacific coast.It is also the largest woodpecker in the United States, except the possibly extinct Ivory-billed Woodpecker. AZ Animals is a growing team of animals experts, researchers, farmers, conservationists, writers, editors, and -- of course -- pet owners who have come together to help you better understand the animal kingdom and how we interact. Pileated woodpeckers give a variety of calls, from soft chucks to a louder, repeated, cuk, cuk, cuk. These calls, along with drumming against the resonant trunk of a dead tree, are often tied to courtship or territoriality. Pileated woodpeckers also eat many other types of insects along with nuts and seeds. [18] Pileated woodpeckers often chip out large and roughly rectangular holes in trees while searching out insects, especially ant colonies. Washington Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, Washington, USA. The pileated woodpecker as a keystone habitat modifier in the Pacific Northwest. Pileated woodpeckers inhabit mature and old-growth forests, and second-growth forests with snags and fallen trees. Homeowners and utility companies are often concerned about damage to homes and trees. Its average wingspan is 26 to 30 inches. Journal of Wildlife Management 51:472-481. Map by Birds of the World, maintained by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Northwestern Naturalist 73:42-45. Adults are mainly black above, with a red crest and whitish lines from the base of the bill, down the neck and shoulders (though individuals from the south-eastern part of its range commonly lack the line on the shoulders). Twitter. Other names for the pileated woodpecker include carpenter bird, wood hen, Indian hen, laughing woodpecker, and cock of the woods. In flight, large, white underwing patches show. The babies are extra small with a SVL of 0.8 to 1 inch. [13] From 1966 - 2015 the population of pileated woodpecker has, on average, increased by greater than 1.5% per year throughout the northeastern U.S., the Maritimes, the Ohio River Valley, and around the Great Lakes.[14]. Average lifespan Status: wild 155 months Bird Banding Laboratory Behavior Adapted primarily for climbing on vertical surfaces; occasionally hops on the ground. They also perform a gliding display flight to attract mates. USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD, USA. Bull and Jackson (1995) suggest that fragmentation of forested habitat may lead to reduced population density and increased vulnerability to predation as birds are forced to fly between fragmented forested stands; however, information on predation effects is currently lacking. Occasionally bats and swifts share roost cavities with Pileated Woodpeckers. Bull, E. L. 1987. The winter range is also the same. 2001. Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry. Find out more about what this bird likes to eat and what feeder is best by using the Project FeederWatch Common Feeder Birds bird list. Torgersen, T. R. and E. L. Bull. Approximately 67% of these birds are found in the U.S., and around 33% are found in Canada. The TEXT of this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License - Version 3.0. Both sexes hammer out the site, and can often be observed tossing beakfuls of wood chips from the nest hole as they dig. They also glean (pick) insects off branches and scale bark off trees in search of food. Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals. Woodpeckers make such large holes in dead trees that the holes can cause a small tree to break in half. differences between the ivory-billed woodpecker and the pileated woodpecker, The 7 Best Pet Products on Amazon This March, The 6 Best Chicken and Farm Productson Chewy Today. The 10 Best Lakes In In Illinois: Fishing, Boating, Camping, and Under the Radar Lakes! Pileated woodpeckers usually mate for life. Throughout their range, Pileated Woodpeckers can also be found in suburban areas with large trees and patches of woodland.Back to top. 2002b. Owls and tree-nesting ducks may largely rely on holes made by pileateds in which to lay their nests. Simon and Schuster Inc., New York, NY, USA. But credit is due to to the Pileated Woodpecker as well: Woody's shaggy red top-knot much more closely resembles a Pileated Woodpecker, and the cartoon character's characteristic laugh, originally voiced by Mel Blanc of Warner Brothers fame, sounds more like a Pileated Woodpecker's call as well. They may forage around the sides of human homes or even cars, and can be observed feeding at suet-type feeders. Adult males have a red line from the bill to the throat; in adult females these are black. The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds, birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation. the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic. Our site uses cookies to collect anonymous information about your use of our website. 1995. Search in feature Kingdom Animalia > Phylum Chordata > Class Aves > Order Piciformes > Family Picidae > Genus Dryocopus . In western Oregon and western Washington, they may use younger forests (<40 years old) as foraging habitat. Ferguson, H. L, K. Robinette, and K. Stenberg. When abandoned, these holesmade similarly by all woodpeckersprovide good homes in future years for many forest songbirds and a wide variety of other animals. Lantz's wife Gracie suggested that Walter make a cartoon character of the bird and so Woody was created. [19] When clashing with conspecifics, they engage in much chasing, calling, striking with the wings, and jabbing with the bill. Dryocopus pileatus is best recognized by its large, dull black body and red crest. (2011). Look (and listen) for Pileated Woodpeckers whacking at dead trees and fallen logs in search of their main prey, carpenter ants, leaving unique rectangular holes in the wood. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Bird Banding Laboratory 2020. Coniferous or deciduous forest. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The Pileated Woodpecker uses its long, extensible, pointed tongue with barbs and sticky saliva to catch and extract ants from tunnels. What is an interesting fact about the Pileated Woodpecker? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 American Bird Conservancy. Their flight is strong, but slow and slightly undulating; the wingbeats are deep but quick and somewhat unevenly paced. Both parents incubate eggs alternately during the day; the male incubates at night. Distinctive zebra stripes appear on its head and neck, and a bright red crest is perched atop its head. This woodpecker has a loud, ringing call consisting of a series of kuk noises. The oldest known Pileated Woodpecker was a male, and at least 12 years, 11 months old when he was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Maryland. Pileated woodpeckers have a large range and large population size, so they are not considered threatened or endangered. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/290154; Audio of Acorn Woodpecker by Russ Wigh, XC560602. Habitat The pileated woodpecker lives in coniferous and deciduous forests. In The Birds of North America (P. G. Rodewald, editor). How many eggs do the pileated woodpecker lay? During conflict with conspecies, much chasing, calling, striking with wings, and jabbing with its bill. [5] The type locality is South Carolina. Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) Homeowners and utility companies are often concerned about damage to homes and trees. Since they are non-migratory birds, they can be found throughout the year. Rohila, C. M. 2002. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pileated_Woodpecker/sounds The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students. reproduction in which eggs are released by the female; development of offspring occurs outside the mother's body. The Sibley Guide to Birds, second edition. The male and female pileated woodpeckers have very similar characteristics, so its difficult to distinguish them. Pileated woodpeckers lay 1 to 6 eggs/clutch; the eggs are white in coloration and are about 1.3 inches in length and 1 inch in breadth. HBW and BirdLife International (2022) Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International digital checklist of the birds of the world. Status: Common year-round resident throughout the state. The birds skull and neck are reinforced, allowing it to peck away at wood for extended periods of time. "Pileated" refers to the bird's prominent red crest, from the Latin pileatus meaning "capped". In the wild, this woodpecker is sometimes hunted by cats. Dryocopus pileatus Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities. Polar Bear Quiz Get to Know Our Furry Friends. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Ecology of the pileated woodpecker in northeastern Oregon. Iteroparous animals must, by definition, survive over multiple seasons (or periodic condition changes). When one member of a pair dies, the other often gains a new mate, and this is one of the main ways that new individuals get a chance to breed and hold a territory. E. Larsen, J. M. Azerrad, N. Nordstrom, editors. Taxonavigation: Piciformes Superregnum: Eukaryota Cladus: Unikonta Cladus: Opisthokonta Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed be reclassified as extinct. Roost trees used by pileated woodpeckers in northeastern Oregon. Recorded with Olympus LS-P4 Linear PCM Recorder. Accessed The cavity is unlined except for wood chips. Although they are less likely feeder visitors than smaller woodpeckers, pileateds may regularly be attracted to them in areas experiencing harsh winter conditions. https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101665227 ____, and ____. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. Mellen, T. K., E. C. Meslow, and R. W. Mannan. The Animal Diversity Web team is excited to announce ADW Pocket Guides! Library of Congress. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria. Nest cavities are rarely reused by the Pileateds, but the holes provide crucial nesting and roosting places for many other bird species, including the Wood Duck, Eastern Bluebird, and Eastern Screech-Owl, as well as bats, raccoons, and other mammals. copyright Joao Pedro de Magalhaes editor de Magalhaes, J. P. partner site AnAge articles Behavior provided by Animal Diversity Web Younger specimens tend to have less curved crests, or "mohawks" as some refer to them. Prefers to nest in mesic areas, close to streams; selects stands with greatest basal area, greatest density of stems, and highest crown canopy. English: Pileated Woodpecker (abieticola) French: Grand Pic (abieticola) Authorities recognizing this taxonomic concept: American Ornithologists' Union 2nd edition (incl. Thats especially when one focuses on their activities during nest building, facial markings, and crest. Throughout their range, pileated woodpeckers use large snags and large decaying live trees for nesting and roosting, features that are more abundant in older forests. It pries off long slivers of wood to expose ant galleries. When hammering into this soft wood, Pileated Woodpeckers use their long neck to pull far back from the tree, then make powerful strikes with their heavy bill, pulling with their feet to increase the strength of the blow. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Roost trees tend to have multiple entrances to allow birds to escape predators. Pileated Woodpeckers supplement their insect diet with fruits and nuts, and will visit backyard suet feeders, to the delight of human observers. Dryocopus pileatus (Pileated Woodpecker) 23.jpg 1,589 970; 815 KB Dryocopus pileatus (Pileated Woodpecker) 24.jpg 1,338 1,558; 892 KB Dryocopus pileatus (Pileated Woodpecker) 25.jpg 2,587 1,626; 2.22 MB Dryocopus pileatus (Pileated Woodpecker) 26.jpg 1,526 967; 844 KB Dryocopus pileatus (Pileated Woodpecker) 27.jpg 2,550 1,593; 2.07 MB [12][13][14] The northern subspecies is generally slightly larger than the southern. Across this wide range, its appearance does not vary much, and only two subspecies are recognized. Young, D. 2003. These birds are not endangered and have steadily increasing population numbers. They defend the territory in all seasons, but tolerate floaters during the winter. Disclaimer: Lifespan 12 years Weight 8.8 to 12.3 ounces Length 16 to 19 inches This post may contain affiliate links to our partners like Chewy, Amazon, and others. NPS Klamath Inventory & Monitoring Network Management recommendations for Washingtons priority species, Volume IV: Birds. Woodpeckers(Order: Piciformes, Family: Picidae). Diet Nestlings are naked and defenseless upon hatching, and both parents feed them through regurgitation. National Institute for Urban Wildlife, Columbia, Maryland, USA. [4] The specific epithet pileatus is a Latin word meaning "-capped". [5] The type locality is South Carolina. 2003. Accessed Management of wildlife and fish habitats in forests of western Oregon and Washington. During courtship, these woodpeckers spread their wings to show off bright, white patches. Dryocopus pileatus is a crow-sized (40-49 cm long, (15-19 in)) member of the woodpecker family, Picidae. Look (and listen) for Pileated Woodpeckers whacking at dead trees and fallen logs in search of their main prey, carpenter ants, leaving unique rectangular holes in the wood. But thats not all that makes this bird a keystone forest species. Most species live only one to two years, and a newly imported octopus may have just weeks left. Their large cavities are used by a wide variety of both small and large birds and mammals that are primary and . the body of water between Africa, Europe, the southern ocean (above 60 degrees south latitude), and the western hemisphere. Down logs as habitat for forest-dwelling ants - the primary prey of pileated woodpeckers in northeastern Oregon. It turns out that the popular mid-20th century cartoon character Woody Woodpecker was actually inspired by a persistent Acorn Woodpecker that staged a cameo during animator Walter Lantz's honeymoon, calling and drumming at the couple's cabin. They swing their heads back and forth while raising the red crest at the top. National Science Foundation USDA Forest Service General Technical Report PSW-GTR-181, Berkeley, California, USA. Permanent Residents: Pileated woodpeckers are non-migratory birds, so they remain in the same habitat throughout their life. The nest holes these birds . However, the adult females forehead has a brownish color while the forehead of the male is bright scarlet. They are protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Act. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. The pileated woodpecker also nests in boxes about 4.6m (15ft) off the ground. Three to five eggs are laid per clutch, and both sexes incubate the eggs for a period of roughly 18 days. [20][21], Damage to a tree by a pileated woodpecker searching for bugs, a cavity roughly 3' tall, 4-6" wide, and 8" deep, Two Juvenile pileated woodpeckers, both Female. As they work, they occasionally toss piles of wood chips onto the ground, and they line their nests with some of the chips too. Average lifespanStatus: wild: 155 months. The North American Breeding Bird Survey, Results and Analysis 19662019. uses smells or other chemicals to communicate. Birdwatchers should focus on forested areas near bottomlands and watercourses while searching for pileated woodpeckers. The removal of large snags, large decaying live trees and downed woody debris of the appropriate species, size, and decay class eliminates nest and roost sites and foraging habitat. A pileated woodpecker pair stays together on its territory all year round and is not migratory. [12] They also lap up ants by reaching with their long tongues into crevices. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. New York. A clutch size of 4 is most common in this woodpecker. Peacocks have brightly colored feathers of iridescent blues, greens, browns, and gold. Dryocopus pileatus is a crow-sized (40-49 cm long, (15-19 in)) member of the woodpecker family, Picidae. Intensively managed forests typically do not retain these habitat features. . [20], Pileated woodpeckers have been observed to move to another site if any eggs have fallen out of the nesta rare habit in birds. While the large birds control many insect populations, especially tree beetles, that may otherwise experience outbreaks, some people may consider them harmful if found on their property due to the considerable damage that pileated woodpeckers can do to trees and homes. This woodpecker feeds on insects, primarily carpenter ants and woodboring beetle larvae; also wild fruits and nuts. Note that images and other media featured on this page are each governed by their own license, and they may or may not be available for reuse. A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds, Including All Species That Regularly Breed North of Mexico. It is illegal to harm or remove the birds without a permit. Taxon Information See PHS Program management recommendations for more information about actions needed to address the threats to this species. Two pileated woodpeckers drumming in an old growth forest. A clutch size of 4 is most common in this woodpecker. The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker found in most of North America. Moulton, C. A., and L. W. Adams. Pileated woodpeckers have a large population size, and despite being nonmigratory, are protected under the U.S. Migratory Bird Act. In the United States, only the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, likely extinct, was bigger. Sleeps or roosts in cavity at night. Its nearly the size of a crow, black with bold white stripes down the neck and a flaming-red crest. This woodpecker typically leaves the nest 26 to 28 days after hatching. 2001. Consider putting up a nest box to attract a breeding pair. Avian Conservation Assessment Database, version 2020. In these areas they occupy remnant patches of forest, parks, and green-belts. solutions to keep birds from hitting windows. In April, the hole made by the male attracts a female for mating and raising their young. The pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is a large, mostly black woodpecker native to North America. The flight of these birds is strong and direct, but undulates in the way characteristic of woodpeckers. Lutmerding, J. Techniques for monitoring pileated woodpeckers. As a large, non-migratory insectivore, the pileated woodpecker may provide an important role in controlling insect outbreaks, particularly those of tree beetles. Adults are 40 to 49 cm (16 to 19 in) long, span 66 to 75 cm (26 to 30 in) across the wings, and weigh 225 to 400 g (7.9 to 14.1 oz). Journal of Wildlife Management 57:335-345. B L W W W Family Latin Name; 16.5" 42cm: 29" 73.7cm: 10oz 283.5g: Picidae: Dryocopus pileatus: Whiskeytown National Recreation Area [3] When in 1758 the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus updated his Systema Naturae for the tenth edition, he included the pileated woodpecker, coined the binomial name Picus pileatus and cited Catesby's book. Its ability to survive in many wooded habitat types has allowed the species to survive human habitation of North America much better than the more specialized ivory-billed woodpecker. The woodpeckers forage in forests containing large trees and snags that support abundant insect prey associated with dead and dying wood. Texas Partners in Flight, 2002. Pileated Woodpecker nestlings. Adults are 40 to 49cm (16 to 19in) long, span 66 to 75cm (26 to 30in) across the wings, and weigh 225 to 400g (7.9 to 14.1oz). If you have dead or dying trees or snags on your property, consider leaving them alone as they may attract Pileated Woodpeckers (as well as other woodpeckers, nuthatches, etc.) Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; oviparous, The pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is a large, mostly black woodpecker native to North America. The pileated woodpecker's breeding habitat is forested areas across Canada, the eastern United States, and parts of the Pacific Coast. View all of the Pileated Woodpecker images! Summertime home range and habitat use of pileated woodpeckers, western Oregon. This bird favors mature forests and heavily wooded parks. Therefore, they are not considered endangered. The winter range is also the same. With flashing black-and-white wings and a bright red crest, when a crow-sized Pileated Woodpecker swoops by, even the most experienced birders stop in their tracks. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/560602.). 21 April 2003 Topics Washington Forest Practices Board. Wildlife Habitats and Species Associations in Oregon and Washington: Building a Common Understanding for Management. Cavity depth can range from 10-24 inches. Woodpeckers make such large holes in dead trees that the holes can cause a small tree to break in half. They also eat fruits, nuts, and berries, including poison ivy berries. The average weight of females and males combined is about 277 g (9.8 oz), with males weighing about 300 g (11 oz) and females weighing about 256 g (9.0 oz) in mean body mass. It is also the third largest species of woodpecker in the world, after the great slaty woodpecker and the black woodpecker. [10] Genus Dryocopus was introduced by the German naturalist Friedrich Boie in 1826.[11][7]. [4] The specific epithet pileatus is a Latin word meaning "-capped". Periodically the adult picks up several chips at a time in its bill and tosses them from the cavity entrance. Pileated Woodpeckers rely on large, standing dead trees and fallen logssomething that property managers may consider undesirable. Snake Quiz: Can you identify all 20 snakes? current name Dryocopus pileatus basionym: Picus pileatus Linnaeus, 1758 NCBI BLAST name: birds Rank: species Genetic code: Translation table 1 (Standard) Mitochondrial genetic code: Translation table 2 (Vertebrate Mitochondrial) Other names: common name (s) pileated woodpecker Lineage ( full ) Pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus). ____, ____, and M. G. Henjum. By 4 weeks, they fledge (mid-May to early July in California), but remain dependent on the adults for several more months. Dryocopus pileatus hollows out nests 8 inches wide and 2 feet deep. The pileated woodpecker's breeding habitat is forested areas across Canada, the eastern United States, and parts of the Pacific Coast. Catesby used the English name "The larger red-crested Wood-pecker" and the Latin Picus niger maximus capite rubro. 1988. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report PNW-GTR-269, Portland, Oregon, USA. The bird has a distinctive call consisting of a rapid, ringing series that sounds like kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk, rising and falling along the way. The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker found in most of North America. From the Forest to the Sea: a Story of Fallen Trees. During the breeding season, birds may start a number of cavity excavations, but only complete one nest cavity. See all of our entertaining and insightful animal articles. The peacock's true tail is covered by long feathers called a train. Both parents incubate three to five eggs for 12 to 16 days. The primary staple of this woodpecker is the carpenter ant. 9th suppl. These woodpeckers are also urban and suburban residents in some developing areas throughout Washington. Efforts to restore woodland by removing invasive honeysuckle and buckthorn seem to benefit them, as the removal of brush and shrubbery facilitates their foraging on the ground and in the lower stratum. Mated pairs live on and defend large territories year-round. Pages 257-274 in W. F. Laudenslayer, Jr., P. J. Shea, B. E. Valentine, C. P. Weatherspoon, and T. E. Lisle, technical coordinators. Dryocopus pileatus is one of 14 species of woodpeckers in British Columbia (Family Picidae) (Fenneman & Toochin 2017). Pileated woodpeckers have large home ranges within which they meet their life requisites. An insectivore, it inhabits deciduous forests in eastern North America, the Great Lakes, the boreal forests of Canada, and parts of the Pacific Coast. Drumming is most common during courtship and to proclaim a territory. Carpenter ants dominate these woodpeckers diets. If the collective area of these retained forest tracts is large enough, suburban and other urbanizing environments could support pileated woodpeckers. Typically roost in hollow trees with multiple entrances. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 2.6 million and rate them 7 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score, indicating a species of low conservation concern. Studies within the Pacific Northwest indicate that home range size may vary from 1000 acres to over 2000 acres. The pileated woodpecker lives in Canada from British Columbia east to Nova Scotia. [15] They also lap up ants by reaching with their long tongues into crevices. Males have a red line extending from the bill to the throat; in females, the line is black. It resembles the closely related pileated woodpecker ( Dryocopus pileatus) of United States and Canada . They breed in the forests of Canada, Eastern USA, and on the Pacific coast. Their population is steadily increasing, and they are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. 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. Calls and drumming: Only the possibly extirpated Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) in the southeastern United States and Cuba and the Imperial Woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis) of western Mexico are larger. ____, and R. S. Holthausen. to forage, roost or even nest in them. Kilham (1979) reported that eggs were unattended for up to 20 minutes in the first few days; attended nearly 100% of the time after that. Snags, logs, and weakened live trees provide the soft wood inhabited by carpenter ants, a favorite food. This material is based upon work supported by the They are self-assured on the vertical surfaces of large trees, but can seem awkward while feeding on small branches and vines. Pairs of Pileated Woodpeckers establish territories and remain all year. Coniferous or deciduous forest. Pileated woodpeckers have large home ranges within which they meet their life requisites. For the largest woodpecker in the country, the pileated woodpecker is surprisingly hard to see. Map by Birds of the World, maintained by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. A strong flyer with slightly undulating strong flight; flight is rather slow but vigorous and direct. The red crest atop the birds head resembles such a cap. What is the wingspan of the pileated woodpecker? On average, it attains a length of 16 to 19 inches and weighs an average of 8.8 to 12.3 ounces. It is illegal to harm or remove the birds without a permit. Drumming usually occurs atop a dead tree that resonates sound; most frequent in the morining, but can occur through the day and increases in frequency during early spring as courtship activities begin. . The ADW Team gratefully acknowledges their support. Brown, E. R., technical editor. Cartoonist Walter Lantz is believed to have based the appearance of his creation Woody Woodpecker on the pileated woodpecker; while patterning the call on the acorn woodpecker. Prefers to nest in mesic areas, close to streams; selects stands with greatest basal area, greatest density of stems, and highest crown canopy. In 15 to 18 days, the eggs hatch into naked and helpless (altricial) young that are fed regurgitated insects. Life Span and Survivorship. Pileated Woodpeckers live in mature deciduous or mixed deciduous-coniferous woodlands of nearly every type, from tall western hemlock stands of the Northwest to beech and maple forests in New England and cypress swamps of the Southeast.