Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
L 15″
Habitat: Forests of heavy timber and secondary growth consisting of mixed deciduous and coniferous trees are the preferred year-round habitat for pileated woodpeckers. These large woodpeckers have become less abundant over much of their former range where extensive agriculture or logging practices have eliminated large tracts of old growth forests. In the Ozarks, they are plentiful wherever extensive forests remain, preferring areas where past cutting practices (early 1900’s) have left scattered large cull trees throughout.
Nest: Pileated woodpecker nests have been found in beech, poplar, tulip-popular, birch, oak, hickory, maple, hemlock, pine, ash, elm, basswood, and aspen trees. Cavity heights range from 15 to 70 feet, with an entrance hole up to 4 inches in diameter (Hoyt 1941, 1957). Tall dead trees with smooth surfaces and few limbs are preferred. One tree may be used for several years, but rarely is a nest hole reused. This behavior provides cavities for other wildlife, including wood ducks, owls, and squirrels (Hoyt 1957). Timber stands with sawtimber of 15 to 18 inches dbh provide adequate habitat if there is a supply of dead and decaying trees (Conner et al. 1975).
Food: Insects make up more than 70 percent of the food of pileated woodpeckers. Ants (especially carpenter ants) and beetles are the major food items. In the fall, dogwood berries, wild cherries, acorns, and other wild fruit are included in the diet (Bent 1939).