Pileated Woodpecker

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Pileated Woodpecker

December 10, 2020 by Mike Powell

Yesterday I featured a Downy Woodpecker, the smallest woodpecker in our area. Today I want to present a Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), which is by far the largest woodpecker in this region, with a length of 16 to 19 inches (41 to 48 cm) and a weight of 9 to 12 ounces (155 to 340 grams). I doubt that I will ever spot one of these woodpeckers hanging from a seedpod, like yesterday’s Downy.

Quite often I hear the drumming sound of a Pileated Woodpecker long before I see, a sound that sometimes seems as loud as a jackhammer. When I heard that sound on Monday I scanned the trees and finally caught a glimpse of this female Pileated Woodpecker pecking away at a distant tree. I was happy to capture this profile shot that provides a pretty good look at her face and her bright red crest.

Posted in Autumn, Birds, Nature, Photography, wildlife | Tagged Canon 50D, Dryocopus pileatus, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Pileated Woodpecker, Tamron 150-600mm, Woodbridge VA | 18 Comments

18 Responses

on December 10, 2020 at 6:57 am | Reply Suzette Benjamin

Beautiful. Love the red plumage on her head. 😊
- on December 10, 2020 at 7:28 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Suzette. Those bright red feathers always remind me of Woody Woodpecker, one of the cartoon characters of my childhood.
  - on December 10, 2020 at 11:46 am Suzette Benjamin
    
    Yes, yay Woody.!! Love him
  - on December 10, 2020 at 5:08 pm Mike Powell
    
    🙂
on December 10, 2020 at 7:42 am | Reply Louella Lester

Love it. 😊
on December 10, 2020 at 8:14 am | Reply picpholio

Beautiful bird !
on December 10, 2020 at 8:38 am | Reply blhphotoblog

Another super capture!
on December 10, 2020 at 9:19 am | Reply Mitzy Bricker

Beautiful capture, Mike! I love these birds. They are all in our woods, I hear them fly over often. Their sound is wonderful!

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on December 10, 2020 at 9:40 am | Reply K.L. Hale

It does remind me of Woody Woodpecker. I appreciate how you highlight and “capture for us” God’s amazing creations.
on December 10, 2020 at 1:11 pm | Reply Reed Andariese

Great Mike! Always nice to see your Woodpecker images!
on December 10, 2020 at 3:09 pm | Reply cihearu - Chronicles of a Bionic Woman

I rarely see these in “person” here. Thanks for the gift of a Woody Woodpecker picture, Mike
Carol
- on December 10, 2020 at 5:07 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Carol. It is a treat for me to get a shot of one of these, considering that my usual view of one is when I see it flying away from me deeper into the woods.
on December 10, 2020 at 7:17 pm | Reply Dan Antion

We hear them often, but I only saw one this year. I did manage to get a picture. They are so pretty.
on December 10, 2020 at 9:18 pm | Reply Eliza Waters

Nice profile shot, Mike. They are amazing birds.
- on December 11, 2020 at 7:46 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Eliza. I am amazed whenever I see the massive holes that these woodpeckers can put in trees. They are indeed amazing.
on December 11, 2020 at 1:19 am | Reply krikitarts

I always feel privileged to come across one (or more) of these when I’m in the Minnesota woods. Lucky you!
- on December 11, 2020 at 7:48 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I don’t see them very often so I do feel pretty lucky whenever I happen to spot a Pileated Woodpecker.
on December 12, 2020 at 8:59 am | Reply Molly Lin Dutina

We have them in our neighborhood here in Ohio. Their cry makes me think I have been transported to the jungle! Great pics.