Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
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http://weaselhead.org
The Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is the largest
woodpecker in North America. Despite its size, this elegant
woodpecker is often shy and hard to observe. Obtaining a close
view of one usually requires careful stalking. Although primarily a
forest bird, the "Logcock" has recently become adapted to
civilization and has become relatively numerous even on the
outskirts of large cities, where its presence is most easily
detected by its loud, ringing call and by its large,
characteristically rectangular excavations in trees. Its staple
food consists of carpenter ants living in fallen timber, dead roots,
and stumps. The woodpecker excavates fist-sized rectangular
cavities, then uses its enormously long, sticky tongue to reach the
ant burrows.
description 17" (43 cm). A crow-sized woodpecker. Black with
white neck stripes, conspicuous white wing linings, and prominent
red crest. Male has red "mustache," female has black.
photo, R. Van Arman
The pileated woodpecker eats insects, fruits and nuts. A large
part of its diet is made up of carpenter ants and beetle larvae. It
uses its sharp bill to pull bark off trees and expose ant colonies.
It uses its long tongue to poke into holes and drag out ants. This
tree is located on South Fork Stillaguamish River (Cascade Park).
photo, R. Van Arman
This is the base of the same tree, notice the characteristic
“chips” found at base of feeding tree.
http://www.birdersworld.com
Pileated Woodpecker at a typical feeding tree.