Pileated Woodpecker identification guide

This identification picture shows a male pileated woodpecker, as shown by the red markings trailing back from the sides of the bill.

One of the most visually striking of all the woodpeckers that one might find in New Hampshire is the pileated woodpecker (Drycopus pileatus). The pileated Woodpecker is also one of the easiest to identify. First, the pileated woodpecker is much larger than any other woodpecker in the Northeast. It measures 17 inches long, roughly the same size as a crow. That’s a big bird.

What does pileated mean?

The name pileated woodpecker also gives us the next easy way to identify this bird. The pileum, is the area of a bird’s head from the top of the bill over the head and to the nape of its neck. A bird is said to be pileated if it has a crest on the pileum area. The pileated woodpecker is no exception. Both male and female pileated woodpeckers have a very prominent bright red crests that come to a point in the back of their heads.

Evidence of the pileated woodpecker’s presence

One of the ways to tell if there are pileated woodpeckers in an area is to look for evidence. Pileated woodpeckers prefer larger trees and although they are fond of most insects, they often go after carpenter ants. They peck out holes in the softer dead wood of these big, old trees like most woodpeckers, but the pileated woodpecker tends to leave holes that look almost rectangular when compared to the round holes of some of New Hampshire’s smaller woodpeckers. Rectangular looking holes in big trees and the presence of carpenter ants are clues that there may be pileated woodpeckers in the area.

The sounds of the pileated woodpecker

The pileated woodpecker’s call is also quite distinctive. As one might expect from its size, the pileated woodpecker’s call is quite loud and can be heard from a considerable distance in the forest. Both the pileated woodpecker’s call and its drumming are shown in this video:
 

How to see the pileated woodpecker

The pileated woodpecker tends to be relatively shy and will usually flee if it notices someone approaching. While there are exceptions to every rule, it is very unlikely to see a pileated woodpecker visiting a backyard feeder, even if they live in the area near the feeder. The best way to see a pileated woodpecker is to listen for the call and then slowly and quietly sneak up on its location. Getting a good look at the largest woodpecker in the Northeast and most of the United States (with the possible exception of a few ivory-billed woodpeckers that may have escaped extinction in Florida) is well worth the effort of a cautious approach. The distinctive red crest, the prominent black and white facial stripes, and the sheer size of the bird make it a visual treat for experienced and amateur birders alike.

Identification guide for other woodpeckers commonly found in New Hampshire