Pileated Woodpecker

Dryocopus pileatus

Year-round in CharlotteUncommon

The take

Crow-sized, flame-crested, unmistakable — old Charlotte hardwoods still hold them.

How to ID it

  • Very large, nearly crow-sized woodpecker with a long neck and triangular crest
  • Mostly black with white face and neck stripes and a flaming-red crest; big white underwing patches in flight
  • Drills distinctive rectangular holes in rotten wood for carpenter ants; loud whinnying calls and deep slow drumming

Field marks at a glance

Size
large
Head
flaming-red crest
Call
loud wild whinnying kuk-kuk-kuk

Where & when

Year-round in Charlotte

Learn more

Sources