Pileated Woodpecker Calls: Learn 4 common sounds (including their drumming)

[@ashleighgardner7213]

I played this at full volume & realized how many woodpeckers we have, they went nuts. I’m familiar with the drumming but didn’t know their calls. When my child was two she called them Pecker heads. Not wrong!

[@janetkaemmerling131]

Have heard the pleated woodpecker in the foothills and high desert woodlands of North Tucson.

[@janetkaemmerling131]

*pilated

[@janetkaemmerling131]

Okay, one more try-pileated, lol!

[@bobbyhayes3378]

I have period woodpeckers in my area I have about 8

[@bobbyhayes3378]

😂

[@paulgroth3345]

I'm out on the Olympic peninsula in Washington State. Feel very blessed to have one or two pair of these beautiful birds around my house at nesting time each year.

[@Lightharvest-dd2bf]

Yay! Are pileateds numerous there? Or more dispersed--as in drier parts of the West.

[@LTrav56]

I played these while sitting outside and got an answer from a large male!!!! TOO COOL!!!!!!

[@patriciachizmadia4808]

87 hi hi by m

[@leslienigh-cx6nq]

Do not do that

[@inahobart7035]

I've not only heard the calls and drumming but have several pictures and video of them in my backyard. I'm very blessed to have them and 3-4 other species of woodpeckers that nest and eat in the forest around my house.

[@DavidShilts-tf7ws]

I live in North Alabama, I was woke up by one drumming this morning. Thanks for the info!

[@gatorkitty76]

I'm in west central Florida and I have a pair of these guys in the wooded vacant lot next to my house. I love to watch them getting food from the trees 🥰

[@Sherralyn]

I hear these guys almost daily, especially in the morning. I've only seen them a handful of times, though. I often wonder if they're just teasing😅

[@shawns1396]

I just had one in my neighbors yard. I ran to get my binoculars and then to your channel to verify. It's a good day.

[@AndreaW]

We have them in the redwood forest just north of Santa Cruz, California. I hear them pretty often, and have seen them a few times - no small thing in our pretty dense forest. Love them!

[@ginabee848]

I visited Redwood Forest from Chicago 18yrs ago, I will never forget the feeling, beauty and the amazement of it.

[@OzarkCur]

I didn't know it was the same Bird making all of the sounds. Thank you.

[@lizs9312]

I was very fortunate this summer to see these lovely birds when my family went camping. There were quite a few of them especially early in the mornings! Beautiful birds to see in person

[@adognamedboo9474]

I have a pair visit my suet feeder daily for over 2 yrs now. I love them. They always announce their arrival.

[@APKPatel]

I hear the drumming at around 6 .30 am each morning..it's Spring time in Toronto. Didn't know which bird was making the sound ..but I do remember seeing a couple of beautiful woodpeckers on the trees nearby. Thank you for the amazing recordings 👌👌😃

[@lcas2891]

Galloway OH. First time in 20 yrs to see/hear one. What a thrill! I live near the Big Darby Creek metro park with lots of woods nearby.

[@Lightharvest-dd2bf]

Unforgettable!

[@brianmello3525]

Have been hearing this sound for a couple of months, wasn't sure what it was. Was thinking woodpecker. Just today, September 29, 2024, walking my dog heard the drumming, then the call, then the cherry was seeing it fly to another grove of trees. Checked my Birds of North America book and there he was. Since moving to Missouri, 3 years ago, from Pennsylvania my husband and I have seen and heard so many different birds and animals. God is Good. Thank you for your channel.

[@lindyc.2552]

I live in Raleigh, N.C. In our subdivision we have at least one of these beautiful birds in the woods behind our house. I have only seen it actually in my yard, just one time. But, I love knowing he is around as as I hear his call quite often.

[@ronalddavis4859]

Hear and see them often in Pearl River area of central MS

[@lindyc.2552]

@@ronalddavis4859 Sweet!

[@natashaetheridge7562]

First, I would like to say I love all birds. I've had a fascination with them ever since I was a child. I draw and paint, and birds are my favorite for both. Okay, I have been hearing this crazy sounds, and for months, I couldn't figure out what it was. I knew it was a bird but couldn't figure out what kind. My neighbor recently cut a bunch of trees behind my house. And a couple of days ago I saw some woodpeckers back there. Sure enough, they started making this noise. I've seen 4 of them, but I also think there are babies. I was shocked because I didn't realize they could make all these noises. So I looked it up to be sure and this is exactly what they are doing. Thank you for posting! I live in a tiny community called Auburn. It's on the outskirts of Summit Mississippi. ~ Natasha

[@CherieBowen-x6b]

My husband and I just bought a home in mountains of East Tn and we have a couple of these birds that come and feed off our bird feeder most mornings. They are beautiful birds to watch. And YES, I have heard all of those sounds. They do that Wuk, Wuk sound right before they come swooping in for their food. It's really quite something to experience. Thank you for your video.

[@adriennequinlan8291]

What do you feed them. I can hear them but the woods are so dense I’ve not seen them

[@bprice3553]

We have a pair of the great Pileated Woodpeckers here in N.C. They nest in tree not far from the house. Almost every other year they produce 2-3 offspring. What a great and wonderful pleasure to watch the mother fly with them from tree to tree once they leave the nest. Almost like teaching and playing at the same time. Look forward to seeing and listening to them every year. Definitely the King & Queen of Woodpeckers.

[@joangoff812]

I am in Northeast Ohio, Akron suburb, just watched one over in my neighbor's front yard, it was so exciting.

[@ShirleyEide]

We saw and heard these beautiful birds several times a day for a couple this Spring. I see and hear them thu out the summer in the woods by the river, in Shakopee, MN.

[@charlenetillery2185]

Yes I love hearing them around my North Tennessee rural home

[@beverleybent1272]

We hear this often in Valley ,Nova Scotia. A beautiful bird to watch!

[@BrianKeller-n5g]

I have been trying to figure out what kind of bird that was making those noises. Thank you for that.

[@maggiemix7424]

I LIVE IN TAYLORS FALLS, MNNESOTA. MY FIRST SIGHTING OF A PILEATED WOODPECKER WAS IN 1985 ON BEAR TRAP LAKE, AMERY WISCONSIN., WHERE I LIVED AT THE TIME. HE WAS BY FAR THE LARGEST ONE I HAVE EVER SEEN. HE WAS ON A POWER LINE POLE NOT EVEN 10 FEET IN FRONT OF ME. HE HAD TO BE AT LEAST 20 INCHES TALL IF NOT MORE. THIS SIGHTING TOOK PLACE THE MORNING AFTER A 10 INCH SNOWFALL THE DAY AND NIGHT BEFORE. AS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY PERSONNEL I COULD NOT STOP AND ENJOY HIM. AS MY JOB WAS A MOBILE JOB THAT ENCOMPASSED A SWATH OF LAND 15 TO 20 NORTH OF ST. PAUL MN EAST 50 MILES INTO WISCONSIN. ALL THEY WAY NORTH TO WHERE I LIVE NOW AND EAST AGAIN 50 MILES. WITHIN THIS TERRITORY 5 DAYS A WEEK FOR 26 YEARS DOING THE SAME JOB IN THE SAME AREAS DESCRIBED ABOVE, IF I DID NOT SEE A WOODPECKER I HEARD THEM. I AM NOW IN AN ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY IN THE WOODS JUST BARLEY 2 MILES WEST OF OUR "WILD" ST. CROIX RIVER. IN THE 10 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN HERE, I HAVE SEEN TWO AND HEAR THEM ALMOST DAILY. I MOVED HERE IN JAN. AND IT IS NOW 11 MONTHS LATTER. SO I HAVE HEARD THEM NOW THROUGH ALL 4 SEASONS. THEIR ANGELIC VOICES AND SOUNDS ARE SO BEAUTIFUL AND I'M COMFORTED THAT AT LEAST HERE IN MY "LITTLE CORNER OF THE WORLD" THEY ARE SURVIVING. I AM BLESSED THANK YOU FOR THE REMINDER! 🕊🦅🌳

[@Lightharvest-dd2bf]

How thankful you must be to be in a community near wildness--and to have good hearing!

[@brettmcnamer817]

We have them around where we live. I like listening to them. And every once and a while I get to see them too!!!!

[@wilsanders2492]

We’re in Kentwood, Louisiana. We have the Merlin Bird ID app, and identify loads of birds, including many types of woodpeckers. Our hummingbird feeders garnered 2 birds the first day, 20 the second. Have heard the jungle noise of pileateds (we pronounce the pile rather than the pill) all my 75 years. Sightings are few as they stay hidden in the foliage. The bird folks get jealous over our numerous Spring & Summer sightings of painted buntings.

[@k.dianecasebier2781]

I heard this woodpecker this morning in The Woodlands Texas. I have not seen it at my feeder for years.

[@thebirdperch_MI]

We currently have 4 of them here in our yard in Michigan, 3 males and a female! The female is paired with one of the males. So fascinating to see them around daily!

[@LadyShannonD]

Me too!!!! I’ve only seen one around, but when I played this OMG, we have so many!!!!!

[@ginabee848]

I've heard them many times but finally got to see one through my window in a blooming tree. The red is vibrant, and the gliding fly is awesome.

[@jstout7881]

I have seen and heard them in Reevesville, SC. Love❤

[@Charlie-cz3jh]

Yes, I heard and saw a pair of pileated WP's today for the FIRST TIME in my neighborhood of 6 years. Music to my ears. I'm elated. So happy and proud. It looks like they've moved in. Thank you Baby Jesus❣️❣️🥰👍😇

[@karenlynn546]

Jesus is the only face of our Heavenly Father. And those who love Him, await for Him as a Bride. Jesus was only once a baby lol He is The Word of God in the flesh. So by 13, of course He was wiser than any man on earth!!!! after He arose from conquering the 3 gates of death, He has returned to His Kingdom as Lord and King of all. Hope this helps you to think of our Lord and Saviour, as the eternal Husband we all will be one with for the eternal marriage of Heaven .

[@karenlynn546]

Yes ALL will be Married to Him in a Holy Marriage!!! Because in heaven we are all Spirit Men, but the intimacy of our Souls (like void batteries) are filled by the Holy Flow of His Spirit. Like Wine fills Cups. And that’s why you will shine the glory of His Living Light forever! Daniel 12:2,3. We all come from the Dust (this earth). Some will awake and return home to be one with the glory of God. But everyone else will return to the shame of the void and formless 2nd death of the dust.

[@Ptpau1970]

Had a Pileated Woodpecker to land out on my back deck in May 2024 here in Eastern North Carolina (4 months ago) and was drilling holes in the wood seating to my deck! Large woodpecker with vibrant red headed feathers. I’ve heard the drumming as well as their #1 and #2 calls. Thanks for this video, very helpful in confirming the #1 and #2 calling sounds of the Pileated Woodpecker!

[@snowst.patrick1132]

Was trying to call a hawk with sounds on KZbin . 1 of these came right to my Bluetooth speaker. Im in south Georgia. Big Beautiful Bird

[@allspice_and_company]

30 miles southeast of Boston here. I took the dog out 10 minutes ago and heard one calling in the top of a tree just inside the woods. Couldn't see it, but nice to know they're still here. I saw one flying a couple of years ago. Big Woody Woodpecker-looking bird. Beautiful plumage!

[@cuilean25]

I heard these birds quite often while growing up, whenever I was at a hunting camp along the Tensas River in NE Louisiana. I believe I heard all the sounds recorded here, but my memory of it is fuzzy since it was so many years ago. Great memories. These woodpeckers are some of the most spectacular birds in North America in my opinion.

[@reavesfamily2851]

My children and I heard drumming in Hueytown AL!

[@BlueDinnie]

Drumming brought me to this video I never knew we had woodpeckers in Jersey😅

[@pamelareale5189]

Just outside minding my own business and heard this really loud bird call and and actually got a video of the pileated woodpecker and that sound but the call when I first noticed him did not sound like either of those…it almost sounded like a bird out in the jungle

[@abbyoconnor4682]

thank you!! Since I was little I've always wondered what made the monkey sound in the woods. I love it because it makes me feel like I live in the tropics (but I live in MA haha!🤦‍♀)!

[@nolateedeeteedie9343]

I literally just heard the drumming sound and I’m looking for it but it has gone to another tree but I hear it in the distance now

[@nataliegauvreaurealtor3466]

We have local woodpeckers all varieties, but this one is definitely foraging in our trees near our strata. I have definitely heard every single one of those sounds.

[@kristienave5347]

We just had one in our yard making the wuk, wuk, wuk sound! What a beautiful bird! Posting from Indianapolis, IN

[@reginaldchristian-b9e]

I heard this last night in Tampa near Busch Gardens . My dog was going crazy and it took me a while to realize I had heard it before. Woody Woodpecker lives on.

[@DavidTomlinson-yi2de]

We have a pleated woodpecker that I have seen over the past 4 years in East lyme CT. Absolutely beautiful!!

[@RoxxyCooley]

Yes, I hear the woodpeckers too. Several flew from across the street when I played it. The drumming noise is very distinct outside my bedroom window.

[@monateal5565]

We have a family of woodpeckers in our yard every spring. I love hearing them. We live in the country and they sound tropical…definitely outta place. We also have mockingbird, cardinal and blue jay families every spring.

[@robinwestbrook1451]

We had a lovely pair show up in our back yard, yesterday. It was great to put a face to the sounds we had been hearing.

[@reneecheng5832]

I’ve heard all of these sounds and was trying to find the bird the sounds came from. This morning I saw a pileated woodpecker fly from tree to tree right after I heard the first very loud call, so I figured I’d check to see if it was him. Bingo! 🙂

[@chuminhvlog]

Thank you for sharing great video

[@dorothysmith7289]

I heard sounds 1 and 4 TODAY. I live in Uptown New Orleans. Amazing.

[@terryskomrock8545]

One Pilleated woodpecker came to birdbath. Heard calls and pecking. No doubt. Wonderful to see in Chesterland, Ohio.

[@lorettakingsolver-ko3tf]

These birds frequent our yard and feeder quite often. Two years ago, we got to watch them enjoy the bugs in a dying Alder by our pond. We live in Auburn, Wa.

[@timmysteph]

I never even knew about this woodpecker before thank you scott.

[@stephaniepersin4222]

Saw a pileated woodpecker on my cedar tree. Huge bird compared to even a Blue Jay. I had a huge problem of hornets in my rose of Sharon dead branches. Larvae galore. Next day the hornets and larvae were gone. The branch was pecked out as pileated woodpecker loves larvae to eat. Keep this one around. Forever grateful for this bird.

[@tracygreek7558]

I live in NS Canada and heard as well as seen these beautiful birds. They are very loud when they make their calls.

[@christinejung6403]

I have one living in my suburban neighborhood - Lansing Michigan. He (or she) comes to my suet feeder often. I make my own suet with meal worms.

[@elaineyoung2814]

We hear and see the pileated woodpecker quite often in the woods at our place in the Western Catskill mountains of NY. At our feeders in Queens (NYC), I see several kinds of woodpeckers, but never the pileated.

[@Cookegary]

While hiking in the Redden Forest in Delaware I saw two Pileated Woodpeckers and listened to your four calls on this video. One of the two woodpeckers flew right past me within ten feet, landing in the canopy overhead. It seemed to enjoy your audio.

[@bettyreid9720]

Currently listening to chick this am. Enjoyed watching parents make hole in dead tree and now they have a nest with baby chick peaking out throughout the day.

[@christiner6000]

The pileateds come through here several times a year (west Michigan). Wasn't sure about their calls, since we have many other woodpeckers here, but sure can identify their drumming. So much louder then the others.

[@foederatus]

They're so loud and big whenever I see them. We have one in the neighborhood that likes to wake us up every now and then in the morning.

[@jennybodian628]

I hear the wuk-wuk sounds and the drumming all the time from the woods behind my house and today I finally saw one!!

[@bethwest4909]

I have these in my woods in Northeastern Oklahoma. I actually had one on the ground in my backyard a few months ago. It was trying to get out of my yard, and my two large dogs were trying to get it. I was able to intervene, carefully grab the woodpecker, and toss it over the fence. It never touched the ground, just flew into the woods. It was such an amazing experience. I was so worried they had hurt it, but thankful it could fly to safety. I was surprised at how light it was for its size. I have some experience with birds (Not chickens) and have rescued several species of birds from dangerous or harmful situations.

[@Lightharvest-dd2bf]

Wonder why it couldn't get out of your yard?! If this happened in one of the warmer months, maybe it was a clumsy fledgling that didn't have its flight & tail feathers fully formed yet?? Wonderful that you were able to rescue it and that it flew away!

[@deninaherring3013]

1:20 I just heard it this morning. Very loud! We get a few in our neighborhood. Large and beautiful birds!

[@ritaorgel9100]

I see and hear this woodpecker in my area all the time . In fact just yesterday setting at my sisters house it flew in the tree by us. We live in Bradenton Florida

[@AnthonyWarenyk]

Ormond bch has them

[@mikeg3184]

I woke up to a loud thud this morning went outside and found one, he must have hit the window, and was dazed. I sat outside with him until he could fly off.

[@thomasreiners8772]

Hear them in WV all the time

[@60kkm]

I just had one making sound number two. I didn’t know what it was but I finally saw him in the tree. We get woodpeckers but not usually these ones so I was excited. Thank you for putting this together. I love to look up the birds I see. Cool side note. As I was typing this a hummingbird literally was in my hair. I could feel him in my hair and was afraid he would get tangled. I didn’t want to swat at him but I didn’t want him tangled in my hair either. He went back to the geraniums but then he came back at me. I put the hood up on my sweatshirt to keep him out of my hair. 😂

[@mikeleach2154]

I've heard these wonderful and noisy birds around the old Scovill lake and my property on Center St in Wolcott CT. There is also a good "crowd" of them in the forest surrounding the Naugatuck CT industrial park. I've only caught sight of them once. It was awesome. Piliateds rule!!😊

[@FaithAlexiss]

we thought we heard a woodpecker drumming this morning and used this video to confirm! exciting to know what’s outside our window! thank you!

[@adognamedboo9474]

Thanks for posting!

[@sonjalewis3047]

In the Northwest, pileateds have a loud, electrifying, haunting cry. You have to be out in open country--bird chatter around a feeder just isn't as good. Be happy to hear them only occasionally--learn to enjoy the quiet between songs and calls. Conifer forests have the best acoustics, but mixed forest and meadow is good too--which is where I hear them in Mendocino County, Calif.

[@dannymcmurphy283]

I once had a pileated fly by my house and make the sound similar to what is used in the cartoon for Woody the Woodpecker. I've never heard it again but hear the other sounds all the time.

[@jeffkruer1243]

I live in West Michigan, and I have heard all of the demonstrated sounds. One was making an assortment of drumming sounds this very morning. I was pretty sure the sound I heard was a woodpecker, your fine clip assured me I was correct. Thanks

[@guardedsoul64]

Saw one pecking on a tree across the street in the neighbor’s yard. I went on YT and found this and played the last call…… and it flew over to my porch and landed e ft from me. I couldn’t switch from YT to my camera on my ipad so I missed him that day. I heard him drumming in the distance and decided to try to lure him in again. It worked and I got some nice pics. The first time he came though he actually extended his crown and scared the crap out of me.

[@pinecone1321]

Finally..... I've been perplexed for 2 years. I'm from Texas living in Detroit. I've heard the drumming sound and knew it was a woodpecker, unaware of the call. I feel I'm on a riverboat cruise ride at 6 flags. Between the pheasants the seagulls, and the woodpeckers, Detroit is an interesting city for birding.

[@julieborkenhagen7844]

I hear these sounds all the time in a marsh adjacent to our house. However, I’ve never seen one! And I agree that one of the sounds is more like a monkey in a jungle! Thanks for the informative video.

[@tonysukiennik2405]

Late March early mornings in New Hampshire about every 15 seconds I believe I hear the Drumming...

[@Joyan67]

Thank you. I finally figured out what bird was making this noise “cuk cuk cuk”

[@EakleEyeYT]

The birds are incredible!

[@rebeccahouser141]

I just had my first Pileated Woodpecker this past week.

[@susieq3571]

We have these at our cottage, they certainly can be noisy. Beautiful birds ❤️ great video!

[@williamwilsonn2278]

Thank you!!! It was driving me crazy not knowing what it was. I've never seen one but I've been hearing it tons

[@tgmccoy1556]

I'd walk with my springer,in the woods behind our old place and the Pileateds would follow us. My springer was afraid of them . Interesting birds.

[@Lightharvest-dd2bf]

My young cat saw his first pileateds, a pair on a downed tree near my Idaho forest home. He crouched and walked toward them, but reversed his stalking when the closest pileated did that sinuous parrot walk, along the trunk, towards him. Cat & me were IMPRESSED!

[@deeharwood]

I always thought I was in a jungle in my back yard but it was woodpeckers. Thanks for the video. I saw 2 of them today.

[@381rajeev]

Fantastic video thank you so much it's confirmed there's woodpeckers in our back garden ❤

[@davidscottkrause1]

It almost sounds like a jungle sound from a Tarzan movie.

[@RobbinLawrence-wb2pl]

I just had one in my back yard going to town on a tree stump. He is so beautiful

[@karinas9926]

They've been waking me up with the drumming sound for the last few days!😅

[@rochellekaptur4031]

I was just out watering my flowers and had one land in my tree. Making that beautiful call. I live In Portland Oregon area.

[@slyccemcshea3658]

Have a lot of these at camp. Just played this video and got answered. 😊

[@deborah5221]

I have heard the pileated woodpecker many time here in the Pittsburgh wooded suburbs. Today was the 1st day I caught a photo of one on my huge maple tree. 50 ft away w a cell, but I’ll take it.

[@laurafrea760]

We just saw this Bird today (7 PM) in Menomonee Falls, WI which is in SouthEast Wisconsin just west of Milwaukee. I had seen only 1 previously in Wausau, WI which is tin he west side of Wisconsin. It sounded like it was laughing at me - like Woody Woodpecker. It was a spectacular sight and sound!!

[@scottrush3920]

At first I thought we had a weird chicken in the neighborhood. Then when I saw one, I was amazed! They're so big! We had a couple that would hang around a lot. I was able to get some good photos of them. I was surprised at how close they let me get. Then they disappeared for a couple years. Just started hearing them again this spring, but now I've seen only one. I'm thinking it may have lost its mate. I'm in the Lake Tahoe, CA area. I'm going to play your video loud, & see if it brings any more around. Thanks, great video!

[@JudyCruse]

I was blessed to watch and listen to mine just a few minutes ago in Innisfil Ontario Canada

[@johnyelverton4169]

I have a pair I can regularly call up on my phone while checking my cattle

[@Scoutnuts]

Heard one this afternoon while walking on a local trail. We've had them come through our yard and enjoy our feeders earlier this summer. They seemed to prefer the large peanut suet cakes.

[@Margrreet]

Reminds me of the gibbons at the Cincinnati Zoo.

[@dianef6046]

Have them in my back yard in South Florida. Amazing to see