The PILEATED WOODPECKER | The LARGEST Woodpecker in North America!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

If you enjoyed the video please check out the description and find all the people who helped make it possible and have a look at their pages. Liking, Leaving a comment, or sharing it on Facebook, Twitter, etc. helps out KZbin channels in a HUGE way. From myself and my bird buddies, thank you ALL for watching. It's greatly appreciated!

[@nelsonthibeau3303]

Just love your vids, and want you to know i was lucky enough to see a pileated with luscis( i think thats the condition )all white no pigmentation and me without a camera

[@Mr.Pennington]

Can i tell you about the time i saw a ivorybill?

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

@@nelsonthibeau3303 hey thank you. So glad you enjoy them. And that is so cool about you seeing one with the leucistic condition. Too bad about not having a camera. I know all too well what that's like. I've yet to see a bird with leucism.

[@lesliemoiseauthor]

I enjoyed hearing about and seeing their mating dance.

[@glubglub6090]

@@LesleytheBirdNerd n 2014 i actually was lucky enough to see an ivorybill 3 times in lee florida male, flying by wooded area prominent dorsal stripes and a patch white on the outer area of secondary feathers up to a few primary feathers, could not determine size, clearly not a pileated, bill color undetermined, was not able to estimate size, but larger than a pileated, without a doubt an ivory bill

[@ClemsonTiger75]

I'm almost 71 years old, and saw my first Pileated Woodpecker in my back yard only 2-3 weeks ago. He was pecking at the base of an old stump. Amazing creature IMO. That was a treat to experience that.

[@typoclerk]

Cool.. they are huge eh? .. the Downy Woodpecker (most common) is a dwarf in comparison.

[@joeyjohnson4826]

Lol they are pretty cool... always took them for granted, so many of them in the florida woods, grandma called them pecker woods 🤣

[@fighttoprovemylove3342]

Hey, I live in Georgia and I have one that visits my backyard on the regular! It is huge. I have photos and pics of it. I love it, reminds me of my younger days

[@seabertotter4325]

I've seen one peck an old stump into nothing.

[@chuckgates1171]

Im 55 and 1st seen one maybe 6 months ago in the huge oak tree in back yard and seen one few weeks ago same tree.

[@mjinba07]

Most of your viewers may not know about the cartoon or remember it, but the Pileated served as a template for the appearance and the laugh of Woody Woodpecker. It was popular back in the day. Even has a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

[@todddavis4274]

Huh huh huh huhhuh. Woody was so cool.

[@seabertotter4325]

@@todddavis4274 Charlie Parker had an effect on Woody Woodpecker.

[@todddavis4274]

@@seabertotter4325 The jazz guy? I wonder how.

[@fgb3126]

@@seabertotter4325 effect or affect

[@seabertotter4325]

@@fgb3126 funny you should say as I thought the same thing. But they both work. But Woody's little melodic motif was a Bird cliche.'

[@slk1451]

We live in NE OK and have 40 acres that we keep natural as woods and there is a pileated woodpecker that lives in there. My husband and I go on evening dates in the side by side and watch the birds and the wildlife. After a long day of farming it’s a real stress reliever. In the summer, when the lightening bugs come out and it’s almost dark, it’s like a different planet.

[@WhistlesToAnimals]

So awesome. For some reason I checked out a celebrity's home, and that person didn't share one square inch with wlldlife. And I have a tiny yard and I gave / share it all with them.

[@slk1451]

Whistles to Animals if I had a good camera I would share but taking pictures and video with my phone doesn’t yield the best photos.

[@stevehorn646]

Im a Canadian and went Conners State college. Small world

[@slk1451]

Steve Horn that’s funny I went to NEO and we knew a Steve that was a baseball player and from 🇨🇦. I was a horse judger and knew some Conners kids.

[@amandawilcox9638]

Red bud, That sounds lovely and utterly wonderful.

[@mkmom8473]

There is one outside my window right now. I love their call. I used to think it was squirrels screeching. Now when I hear that call I run to the window and it is usually either at one of my bird feeders or on the tree next to them. ❤ We live in northern Michigan and have four types of woodpeckers come to our feeders - Pileated, Red bellied, Hairy, and Downy. I love it!

[@63artemisia63]

@ mk mom Wow 💕❤️💕

[@dh0well]

yay, a fellow Michigander! I love watching those 4 woodpeckers at our feeders too. It's just too bad I never see a Red-headed Woodpecker around here. Only rarely have I ever seen one in N. MI (twice that I can think of, both times near Grayling)

[@donnaroberts9119]

Lucky pup

[@stormwatcher59]

I'm in central Pennsylvania and get a few Red bellied, Hairy, and Downy...but never these guys

[@jonnydanger7181]

I have one in northern Wisconsin 😃

[@maevefarley1181]

Yes! Woody the Woodpecker! Majestic.

[@valdivia1234567]

I'm really fortunate to have these on my property on a regular basis. I never get tired of seeing them.

[@timeallen6900]

Never gets old

[@timsilva1944]

It gets old when they're pecking on your house. Fortunately, I've convinced them to find other wood to drill into.

[@frenchiefrie3128]

I go to college out of state, my dad and I give updates to each other as to what birds we see. He sent me a video of a pileated woodpecker the other day. Since I'm in always in class and studying, I don't get to see too many birds. Thank you for making these videos, they're really helping me get through a hard semester!!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

I'm really happy that these videos help. All the best to you! Take care

[@fighttoprovemylove3342]

@@LesleytheBirdNerd I have one that visits my back on the regular. It is huge, I have a video and pics of it.

[@timeallen6900]

Birds are joyful creatures and it’s a pleasure having them around. I keep three bird feeders out for them and six suet cakes. I also keep out four hummingbird feeders and they always come get me when their feeders are low by hovering right in front of my face.

[@MM-rr1kp]

i had one in the yard last year. couldnt believe how huge. very long

[@mrsdomino4196]

One year we had two females show up with twins. We went through 4 suet cakes a day. The longer I watch your videos I realize how blessed we are. We have them daily. As impressive as their beaks are...so are their feet and I love how they “laugh”. Thank you.

[@appleslorri2012]

I can’t get them to eat at the feeders, they’ll checkout all the trees but won’t come to the suet feeders or sunflower seeds

[@stickshaker101]

They eat that much, huh? I was trying to figure out if the squirrels were getting them when I wasn't looking!

[@mikesr3407]

I didn't know that they love suet cakes , I will have to set them up some ! Have to put up high neighbors cat loves to hunt our yard ! Great for ground patrol but not good for birds !

[@mariashaffer-gordon3561]

@@mikesr3407 My impression is that all, or almost all, woodpeckers like suet. It's a good, high calorie food source, especially in the winter.

[@linda6987]

Very lucky! I’m jealous!

[@johannamarsh8464]

I retired at age 65. I have always been a birdlover and watcher. I am now 70 and last year was my first time seeing this bird. I could not believe my eyes. To me it was a miracle! LOL. It was alone. Hopefully the mate was close by. We live close to a wooded area. I hear the pecking but dont see it. I had ten pines recently die from an infestation. We had the trees cut down but left about one foot of the tree stumps for flower pots. Last summer, when I first discovered this bird it was pecking on these trunks for bugs. I initially saw this bird pecking on the trunk of my dogwood tree. The first time I saw it I ran for my camera. It came back shortly after and I got some great pictures! When I was a child I was in the woods constantly playing. I heard their pecking but never saw one. ❤️

[@loulou-zd1dz]

I saw one on the suet feeder.

[@sandradanforth8524]

What state do you live in? 😊

[@johnserrano9689]

​@loulou-zd1dz I have a large white pine I need to drop soon as it's dead, we're deep in the mountains of VT and I saw the biggest one ever soon as all the winter snows finally burned off this year. Usually they're roughly the size of a crow I'd say that's accurate but that one was bigger. No way could I ever accurately state how big it was but as a carpenter now for decades it was easily almost 2ft Long from crest to ass feathers....idk if that's the normal size truthfully it's just the biggest by some margin I've ever personally ever seen. A couple years ago I was getting ready to drop a large dead sugar maple on the fence line of the back cattle pasture, only to look up and see a couple big holes bored deep into the tree, I left it figuring it was a nesting spot

[@quiet-x4h]

Love these guys! I’d never seen one until we moved to Georgia. He was tearing up our fence and giving us the evil eye. He was sporting a red Mohawk and absolutely gorgeous!!

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hello how are you doing?

[@CapnWack]

Red headed cockatoo

[@gourddrawing]

The fact you shared about pileateds abandoning their homes when finished each year and other animals utilizing them was fascinating. Nature's little home construction crew!

[@dbmail545]

Got one on my property. I did not know that they make a new nesting cavity every year.

[@rhodawatkins4516]

There's a tree on our property that I always refer to as "the woodpecker tree" because as I was walking our trail some years ago, I saw a pileated poke its head out. Didn't realize they probably haven't nested there since. I bet a lot of other birds or other creatures have though.

[@lancer234567]

I grew up with pileated woodpeckers in my huge nature area in my backyard in Louisiana along the Amite River. I have always been amazed by these wonderful birds. I used to wake up every morning and see them all around the big oaks and hickories and pines and beeches down by the river. Thank you for your lovely video. We also had many other kinds of woodpeckers including red-headed woodpeckers and my grandfather claims he saw an ivory billed woodpecker back in the old days.

[@ursulaansbach2244]

It's so cool that they mate for life. And that little dance!

[@gaylebynumcardosa7034]

I heard drumming just two days ago. It was VERY loud and I couldn't believe it wasn't being made by a machine. I followed the sound and sure enough, it was a woodpecker high up in a tree. I'd never seen one before. I live in a fairly wooded area and never really paid that much attention to all the sounds of nature before. Now I have heard that same drumming noise several times throughout the woods. It may be that there are several woodpeckers out there and I've never really noticed it before. It's interesting what you hear when you pay attention.

[@diamondsngunns88]

Thank you so much Lesley for advocating for a gentle and compassionate approach when dealing with all animals. You see them for who they truly are, our brothers and sisters moving through the world the best way they know how, just like us. Kindness and compassion are free, and there’s always a more loving way to approach ‘challenges’ that wild animals might present. Bless you and bless all those with a gentle heart. ❤🙏🥰

[@chickadeecentral]

Exactly. When dealing with animals, being compassionate and gentle with them is 100% the right thing to do. And you are right about always having a loving way to approach animals in the wild 💙👍🙏

[@soccovitch]

Thank you for all the work that you put in on these videos. They really have been a life saver for my Mom who has dementia. She has very nervous energy in the evening and nothing really can calm her down except your videos. Man, she really enjoys your calm commentary and all the information. It truly is amazing to see her sense of calm and focus when the videos are on. Thank you!

[@diamondsngunns88]

This is so beautiful. I’m so glad you found something that helped calm her and distract her. Caregiving for a loved one with dementia is very very difficult. I pray you’re caring for yourself as well ❤❤❤

[@chickensalad3535]

How I your mom?

[@vickibowen5617]

Oh my. Don't you just LOVE the Pileated Woodpecker?!?? Thank you so much, Lesley, am indeed grateful ♥️♥️♥️‼️‼️‼️

[@littleskipper743]

I loved their little dance they do to attract a mate

[@janoldland8265]

I'm a 79 year old Widower living on a mountain near Martinsburg WV. I'm so blessed to have a pair of these Pileated Woodpeckers near my home. They are awesome. Thanks for your work.👍👍💐

[@dennissmith1699]

The world needs more wonderful people like you, doing what you do. You build up without tearing down. When you are finished with your art and publish it the world moves to a better place. Thank you for sharing yourself the way you do. I enjoy your art totally! I shared this video with two good buddies as we were having the debate on pronunciation of Pileated!

[@moonlight_mylk]

Just recently discovered these exist. Saw one in BC and was amazed at how large they are, the strange sounds they make (slightly tropical?), and how weirdly prehistoric they look. Truly some incredible creatures.

[@rickyates1054]

Yes. I've seen two near ubc forest. But never in coquitlam ,where I grew up.

[@mariashaffer-gordon3561]

Those were my thoughts, too, the first time I saw one.

[@OspreyFlyer]

I hear them out in the forests where I bird. Yeah, I said that also, sounds like a tropical jungle bird, lol.

[@63artemisia63]

@ c They actually don’t look “weirdly” prehistoric; they look logically prehistoric, I guess you could say, because they evolved from flying dinosaurs like pterodactyls, and they (and all birds) have changed very little since the Cretaceous period aka “the age of dinosaurs.” I believe the major difference is that they now have feathers … and are much smaller, of course ;o) But I could be wrong about that, and maybe even all of it. So, don’t quote me without checking first.

[@OspreyFlyer]

@@63artemisia63 Showing their heritage, lol.

[@joanrubin4873]

I saw my first pileated woodpecker this morning at our home in Plymouth Vermont. I never appreciated until today how HUGE they are. Stunning

[@iNuchalHead]

Had no idea about the pronunciation. Always said PILL-e-8-ed. I love these guys so much. Their call is magical. Almost like a kookaburra.

[@lairdhaynes1986]

You're not the only one. I've always heard and said pill-e-8-ed too.

[@todddavis4274]

Pill-e-8-ed for me to! I'm from middle TN. I love them.

[@todddavis4274]

Yes!

[@garylyons8811]

They are called Indian hens in Louisiana where I live and their is a lot of them

[@currentriver4951]

I agree, something to that call!!!

[@operator8470]

I install headstones all over Kansas and I see woodpeckers all the time. They are a joy!

[@ndbyers23]

When I heard my first Pilated woodpecker, I was thrilled to observe a pair for over an hour searching for the best place to raise their brood. They drilled 2 holes in a large deciduous tree about 5 feet from our screened porch. I saw them fly around the neighborhood looking and looking. Sadly, they did not choose my tree and I did not see them again. It was such a thrill! I will never forget it. I didn’t know that they mated for life. Yes another beautiful fact about this amazing and beautiful bird. I was living in Georgia at this time, about 20 minutes from downtown Atlanta. Thank you for another lovely video. I am very grateful that I recently came across your channel. 😮

[@joannleichliter4308]

Saw one of these in upstate New York a couple of years ago. I was thrilled.

[@mikeclarke952]

Does anyone remember Woody the Woodpecker? That cartoon portrayed him as a little trouble and racket maker and being 5, I always thought, "How strange to be so angry at a little bird". Maybe not so far off if they start damaging your home. I've seen a few around on campus but never in our backyard. Great footage Lesley, thanks.

[@apophisxo4480]

I'm a huge fan!!! The Pileateds are a bit elusive...I hear them, but they are hard to photograph. Keep up the awesome videos. You're the best!!!

[@lancelotdufrane]

Thank you. Hope you’re well. Thanks for all you gave us.

[@yopestevens1505]

About 30 varities of birds visit my feeder and yard at different times of the year, but it wasn't so busy until I added a large dish of water on the ground between a shrub and an old tree root. Even a pileated showed up, my first and only sighting. They are surprisingly large! One year a male pheasant was perched precariously on the fence 6 feet from my window! These are unusual treats because my yard is in the middle of a city. Deer, raccoons, skunks, rabbits and everybody's cats frequent my yard, too - even a coyote, once! Love my little wilderness, I designed and built it with all the creatures and insects in mind twenty years ago, and have enjoyed it's visual treats throughout every season since. I grew up in the country, but I see more wildlife here in town!

[@Famjules79]

Saw one of these in my parent's backyard a couple weeks ago. So I've now seen downy, hairy, red belly, northern flicker, and pileated woodpeckers. Fun to watch.

[@Afterburner1477]

One of these started visiting my suet feeders!! So big!!! Every time it comes I just stare at it’s huge head and body!!! And the call is so distinct!! Excited for your video!!!!!

[@marshayoder7627]

We first noticed we had 1 living at the back of our lot. We have many trees back there. He came one day and destroyed a huge stump in our back yard. We watched for 45 minutes. While he made splinters out of it. When he was done. All we had to do was rake it up and plant grass. We have been blessed to have them out back for last 3 years

[@franks4973]

We have pileated woodpeckers, they are 1 of my favorites. They look so primeval

[@lizzieb6311]

Yes! Their heads look like an anvil! There are several in the wooded area behind my home in Florida. They are enormous! Meanwhile I have adorable wee Downey Woodpeckers that visit my suet feeder in the front yard.

[@mechele4848]

My Favorite bird! Everything about them Amazes me❗

[@RBTrujillo1]

"other woodpecker shenanigans" that is so cute of a statement!

[@zuss]

I live in a suburb of Montréal in the west island, and I see these guys year around. They truly are a beautiful sight to see and they definitely are goofy birds. Love hearing their drumming. Thank you for this video.

[@keithmcintyre4485]

I lived in the west Island of Montreal as well and had my first and only siting in the town of Hudson Quebec. I couldn't believe my eyes!

[@s1nd3r3llee]

Hi Lesley! My husband and I are so excited to find one or more Pileated woodpeckers are now living in the forest near our suburban NC home! We walk early in the mornings, and have recently heard then calling in the forest. So beautiful! My husband saw one today, 9/1/22. Thank You, Lesley for sharing your Bird knowledge with us! Love it! You’re the Best! 😄❤️

[@bearvonsteuben9675]

Lesley! I have enjoyed so many of your videos, and I’ve been fascinated by these Pileated chaps for years! Three days ago, after hearing their drumming in my woods for so long but having never spotted one, I happened to look up at just the right moment in time to watch one flying toward me not 20’ over my head. Such an odd duck, if you will, as compared to the rest of the woodpecker world, but to finally see one a-flight made my day! I truly appreciate all that you do for our feathered friends, and can’t thank you enough. 🤗👏

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

I was once treated to the sight of a pair of these beautiful birds feeding on Carpenter Ants no more than 6 feet above me while walking back to my car after a day of trout fishing. I watched for at least 20 minutes while they very delicately picked off the ants one by one. They gave every sign that they were aware of my presence, but didn't seem to be bothered in the least. I caught enough fish for supper, but this was the best part of my day.

[@timeallen6900]

Birds have that effect on us. I love to watch the little brown bats that come out in the evening.

[@arnonteerling8855]

Cool

[@jer3887]

They're all over the place in Florida. Their call is very easy to spot as well as the wood pecking. Dead trees certainly seem to attract them.... Don't always want to cut them down :)

[@valdivia1234567]

Yeah they love carpenter ants I think. That's why they're in dead trees so much.

[@tommurphree5630]

Cub

[@reverie6034]

When we moved to Florida We have tons of these in our yard and their laughing call was so crazy! It was the first bird I looked up. 😂. I love them.

[@sansabasongbird5130]

The Romans wore red woolen caps in winter called a pileus. Thus the name.

[@rickyates1054]

And the Roman caps name was Pye lee us, not pill ee us.

[@thomascharky7031]

@@rickyates1054 Wouldnt it probably have been pee-lé-ūs?

[@rickyates1054]

@@thomascharky7031 no,because the letter I says it's own name or it sounds like . Pit sit mitt Never says ee .That is why there is a letter E . Pelius . Grade 1 english

[@Straight0uttaCrofton]

i thought it was named after Pontius Pilate

[@johnnyk434]

GIGGITY, thanks for that bit...

[@SequoiaRaven]

I love them. Birds in general are amazing. Did you know that all Woodpeckers have tounges that rap around their brain to hold them in place and prevent braindamage while they peck? Awesome creatures!! Great video, thank you for including the pronunciation.

[@patrickhowell5382]

I am living in Jamaica and the woodpecker came just as I had cut branches from a almond tree. I didn't know what kind of birds they were but after sending the video to few friends, the name was disclosed. The tree had a lot of red ants but they are now pecking the mesh of the window. The bird wake me up each morning. They are such amazing birds and I love watching them. They are also hard workers. Thanks for the information Lesley.

[@alanaronald244]

I was astonished to see the flight of a pileated woodpecker & stood still as he landed on a tree. Wanted to get my camera, but didn't want to miss one minute of this creature who reminded me of a prehistoric beast. Awesome.

[@63artemisia63]

@ Alana Ronald Good choice! We miss a lot because of our impulse to “document” or “capture” a moment, which Kodak cameras used to market their earliest products, “Capture the moment.”

[@karenharris722]

They are 'mesmerizing' indeed! I had the pleasure of watching one on a tree not too far up years ago. I watched him for a good twenty minutes.

[@theteenagegardener]

These things are EVERYWHERE in our nearby hardwood forest by the lake. I went camping with my dad once, and heard them across the lake calling. They sound so cool.

[@justinbroniszewski]

We have quite a few pileated woodpeckers around here in Central New York, and I just love them! My best sighting happened a few years ago when a male landed on a dead tree in our yard and began hollowing out a nest. It was absolutely incredible to see just how quickly he chopped his way through the wood! The tree was dead but solid, and within ten minutes he had made a large opening. In the end the female did not approve but they are close by. Their distinctive call is very loud, and I catch glimpses of them flying about.

[@elizabethanne8729]

Yes. I’m also near CNY and they are often in my back yard.

[@goldem0_derp393]

They are just so big and so loud it's so beautiful!

[@takayatakeuchi3685]

I remember the drumming that made me realize what was going on to the siding of my house. When I went outside to see a giant woodpecker with a red hat perch on my house and peck on the siding, my brain froze for a moment. I had the siding replaced and when they (there were different peckers, too) came back a few times after that, I would bang the wall inside loud to scare them off. It seems to have worked 😂🎉

[@joseenoel8093]

I think they're a sign of good luck! "Birds won't get upset!" ha ha ha ha! Thanks, good one!

[@christine9467]

Good because I need some good luck right about now in these crazy times. I saw one today.

[@dbmail545]

You won't consider them good luck if they go after carpenter bees in your house's soffits. They can do some damage!

[@bobbyb322]

I have these on my property and nothing is so soothing as to hear them calling for a mate banging on the trees

[@MarioLorenzo]

For me, when I lived in Virginia, seeing a pileated woodpecker was a special event like seeing a falling star or seeing someone famous. They seemed to me to as one of the most mysterious behaving and interesting looking birds. I used to seldom (unfortunately) see them pecking for insects at the base of rotting trees near my home.

[@laurapetro5054]

We are fortunate enough to live near a wooded area and see these magnificent birds occasionally. They do notice our suet and we love when they come to the backyard to partake! Lesley you are such a joy. Absolutely love your vids!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

How awesome to have them visiting. Thanks for the nice comment. Have a great weekend

[@todddavis4274]

Partake.🤓

[@larrylaird91]

I have lots of these birds all over my property and they announce their whereabouts with a candor and I talk with them all the time....

[@InLawsAttic]

I LOVE pleated woodpeckers!! Had one come back year after year to a HUGE pine tree right next to our garage- we enjoyed him- or her- so much!!

[@ambert.3792]

this was SO GOOD! all the video submissions were beautiful. i am happy to hear they stick together for life, thats adorable. i have a couple that raise their kiddos in my backyard. thanks so much for the info and cool presentation!

[@GaryAa56]

Years back I came out and we just looked at each other. He wasn't afraid of me. Beautiful bird!

[@timeallen6900]

The two on my property are very shy a lot like mourning doves

[@nevermind2394]

I love everything about the video - I had one in my backyard last week - what a treat!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ganymeade5151]

Big handsome birds. Their red colors are spectacular when illuminated by the sun. Love.

[@gewamser]

I am 70 now, but have lived most of my life in The Chequamegon National Forest in N. Wisconsin…close to the U.P. Border. Over those years, as a kid and an adult, in my families cabins, in the wilderness, I have had many relationships with all kinds of wild animals. I am very much a conservationist in the tradition of Aldo Leopold, Gods gift to Wisconsin…so, I thoroughly enjoyed this video as a departure from your normal wonderful instructional creations. BRAVO!

[@easygoing2479]

Just gotta say that this video is one of the nicest ones I've seen in a while. Great videography (with the contributions of fellow birders) and a very smooth narration - informative and pleasant listening! Soon LesleytheBirdNerd will be right up there with “Daily Dose of Internet” in devotees!

[@danhutchson896]

I’m loving the fact they use drumming to communicate. I’ve heard them doing it on metal light posts and metallic rooftop vents.

[@photoboyjet]

@Dan Hutchson There was a pileated woodpecker in my neighborhood that used to drum on our rain gutters, especially if they were metal. He loved doing it in the mornings.

[@lairdhaynes1986]

@@photoboyjet and here I thought flickers were the worst for that, startling me awake early on a Saturday morning. I forgive them though.

[@davidbrown7932]

I love the design of the woodpecker its beautiful, captures what Canada is.....

[@justayoutuber1906]

Design? Who designed it? I think you mean shape, look, etc

[@rtrcarrie]

I live in NW Arkansas and this morning I was treated to a breeding pair in my backyard. I was surprised because a busy state highway is directly behind us but what a treat it was to see them. They flew right overhead and I was able to see just how large and magnificent these birds are. What a great way to start the day!

[@sungoddiss]

Thank you for this. I enjoyed learning that their rapid loud drumming meant a warning or attracting a mate. I always thought it was just the sound of them boring into the woods to look for bugs.

[@brianolson2171]

I once lived in a house that had a wood stove with a rusted chimney pipe that a male pileated used to drum on. The first time I heard it I thought that someone was running a jackhammer in my house

[@lairdhaynes1986]

Reminds me of a northern flicker who would beat on the gutter at 7am on a Saturday morning. Talk about a rude awakening.

[@emileeweir7773]

@@lairdhaynes1986 We get the Flicker drumming on our siding as well. We call him dad's frienemy. Dad's nemesis is the Belted Kingfisher - he hardly ever gets pics without the bird teasing him and flying off, yet I can get dozens of pics (and have a series of photos of the bird smacking around/eating a fish!).

[@lairdhaynes1986]

@@emileeweir7773 Haha! Poor pops. We have kingfishers around the lake by my house. I don't even try to get pics as I can't get anywhere close enough without them flying away. I have to content myself with watching them from a distance.

[@foxlake6750]

We had one that use to hammer on our satellite dish, very proud of the load noise it was making.

[@JB-dz1zc]

This is the video I have been waiting on, yay! These here birds remind me of Dinosaurs, they are big and Beautiful! I'll be waiting and Thanks, I know this was a lot of work with help from others. I will bet it will be great!!!

[@carriedevries4994]

We have a pair on our property. My husband calls them “Dino Birds”! Too funny.

[@mikegauthier6364]

Yes they have a head somewhat like a pterodactyl.

[@Stopstaring101]

I live in Ohio and I’ve always said it the way you say it Lesley🐧 I have a family of pileated woodpecker‘s that visit all the time 🥰 Thank you so much for all of your efforts into making this (and all of) your posts🏆!! Very informative and well made 👍🏼 PS, One part I found very interesting that I didn’t know before was that when they drum really fast it is to attract a mate or deter a rival!! I often hear that fast drumming in the summertime here. I always thought they were just looking for bugs… But now I know the fast drumming means something different! Thanks for all the cool info abt these majestic beauties 🥰

[@jasoncarle5432]

Your voice is so calming

[@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.

[@maryjbelle]

I liked how you identified their different calls. Another great video.

[@BrendanPJames]

I live in northern NJ. My family’s backyard is in a wooded park with a lot of dead trees, so I’m lucky enough to see them all the time. I remember first seeing them as a kid and being so impressed because I didn’t think of woodpeckers as being so big and loud

[@stevehorn646]

Omg I'm so excited. This is so cool hello from New Brunswick

[@haroldmessimer4949]

Thanks for all the min-Ute details. I am 56 years old, I have lived in a lot of places and have seen Pileated Woodpeckers In Newport, Pennsylvania, Duncannon, Pennsylvania, Finksburg, Maryland and Coatesville, Indiana. I just recently moved back to the Newport area and was at my moms house yesterday and low and behold, there was a Pileated Woodpecker. I LUV that I get to experience these incredible birds. Again, thanks for the details. I learned how to tell the difference between a male and female. Perfect.

[@mikemelia6663]

I was on a golf course in Canfield, Ohio riding in golf cart and between golf holes I saw 2 of these large wood peckers about 6 feet up a tree just moving around each other. I didn’t have away to take a picture so I just watched for awhile, the wood pickers didn’t fly away, at the time I never knew these birds existed. I been back many times and haven’t seen them since. I put out many types of food and water which bring many types of birds to my back yard. My love of birds have brought me to your videos keep them coming I learned a lot from your videos.

[@jimbolt5170]

Interesting birds. As for their feeding habits, I heard anecdotally that they will revisit their feeding holes. When they arrive, they give a few whacks with their bill to stir up the ants, who then start running scared up and down their little ant expressways within the tree. The woodpecker can just calmly pick them off as they pass through the feeding hole. Kinda like an “ant drive-thru!”

[@Percival3Smithers]

I like the flight call of the male "Auwww-yauh Auww-yauh" ; it sounds like some jungle sound in a movie.

[@prayerworks11]

It took me awhile to figure out what bird did that call. I thought it was topical. Lol

[@beaupeep]

@@prayerworks11 Same here!

[@jeremyblackwater439]

It really does. I hear it almost every morning. I’m sitting here at this very moment with the culprit about 20 yards away putting in work on a tree

[@jeremyblackwater439]

Never mind just saw there’s two. They appear to be mates

[@MySuperman78]

I saw one for the very first time this morning! I was blown away by the size of it! Beautiful bird!! Definitely took me back to the classic Woody Woodpecker cartoon! 😊

[@Craig52-zq1bt]

First time I saw a Pileated Woodpecker near my suet feeder, I thought it was some kind of wood duck. Huge!

[@Wendy-zl8kv]

I’m so excited!! My uncle called this woodpecker an Good God bird. I said a what ?, a Good God what a bird 😃 He was the greatest!

[@jago76]

Well, the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker was called the "Lord God Bird," for obvious reasons.

[@duanemattern8283]

He was right they are..they are a very spiritual bird. There meaning spiritually is amazing!!

[@groucrow9709]

@@duanemattern8283 Could you please share more? All the woodpecker group fascinate me. The Pileateds, once I became familiar to them, were wonderful to be with. Thanks, enjoy

[@duanemattern8283]

Grou crow here is something that happened to me with a woodpecker I was coming back from lunch at work and I noticed this bird that I never seen before doing something weird with its neck so I'm in my car and I'm really looking at this bird and all of a sudden it's straightened up and it was a woodpecker I haven't seen one of those in forever and I mean a long time so I got out of my car and I took three pictures consecutively and when I left I went into my job and looked at the pictures there was purple pink gold green lights all around this bird and there was a red flame with an angel's face in it with gold eyes and when you zoom in on the woodpecker you could see the face of Jesus inside the bird I showed a bunch of people it's so amazing it's mind-blowing and when I searched up the spiritual meaning for a woodpecker it's very touching it's kind of long so if you searched up the spiritual meaning of a woodpecker in the spiritual meaning of all those lights you learn a lot that way it's one of the most amazing pictures I have I have a bunch of other ones similar to that with angels and rainbows people are blown away by them

[@duanemattern8283]

@@groucrow9709 read below I'm not good on phone's..

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

This is going to sound REALLY weird, but every time I see a pileated woodpecker swoop in onto a tree with its back to me it reminds me of how Dracula looked in the movies with his black cloak covering his shoulders! 😆🤣 It's something about their shoulders and the way they slyly look around the tree as they make their way up and down the trunk.... I know, weird, but that's what they always remind me of! Lol!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

i can see why

[@dogmom240]

Now I will be seeing that when I see them! You have created a new way to look at them.

[@adwareman8349]

I have a history with these birds from Minnisoda to California and back I look forward to learning about them.

[@JulieannsSerenity]

Really love hearing about the mating and how they raise their young. What a cute dace he did! Ad so sweet that they mate for life! Thank you for such amazing content! It’s very much appreciated! ❤

[@BearInTheWoods931]

I’ve had some at my bird feeder. Up to that point, I never imagined such a large woodpecker existed. Great to have around.

[@mikaelar8127]

Hey! Greetings from Finland. I love your videos and have learned a lot. It is very interesting to see the differences and similarities between the birds here in nothern Europe vs. North American species. It would also make a great video! The Pileated woodpecker has a lot of similarities with the Black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) and the Blue jays personality is very much the same with our Siberian jay (Perisoreus infaustus). Happy birding!

[@smileswelchsermons]

As a deer hunter here in the hills and woods of Southeast Ohio, I have had MANY very close and personal encounters with these incredible birds. I even had one pecking on a tree that I was sitting in. It started way up high and worked its way down, with wood chips falling on me from above. It worked its way all the way down until its tailfeathers were barely brushing the top of my head when it was pecking the tree. After that series of pecking, it flew away singing its song, never realizing I was there. It was really amazing! These are some of my favorite birds to see when I'm deer hunting! What true gifts from God!

[@kenbowers8423]

My friend lives in the town of Lakefield, just outside of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada and we see them all of the time, year round.

[@sydcarter9255]

Of the more than a dozen species of birds that regularly visit my backyard feeders from Fall thru early Spring, I get the most joy when the Pileated Woodpecker, particularly couples, visit my suet feeders. For their relatively large size, they're quite agile, graceful, and surprisingly tame to be wild. This video is so educational AND entertaining. Thanks to all for sharing.

[@karenries8960]

Thanks for the great video! We feed birds, and our dogs have a perfect view out the window by the couch. Yesterday I saw one of these cool birds pecking at the huge oak tree! We have other woodpeckers, but it was a special treat to watch this giant at work, again, thank you!

[@joehaveaheart4088]

Have only seen one. About 30 yrs ago in a park near Waterloo Iowa. Quite surprised how large it looked in comparison to other woodpeckers. Looking forward to ur video and learning more about it.

[@heartsaliveart]

Thank you for letting us know about their drumming. We had one who was doing that on our neighbor's chimney and we thought it was so funny! Your video was so informative. Thank you.

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hello how’re you doing?

[@heartsaliveart]

@@Godwinpounds4333 I am well, and you?

[@Godwinpounds4333]

@@heartsaliveart I’m doing good, it’s nice meeting with you here. Where are you texting from?

[@markb2175]

In the 80's a man named Marty Stoffer made great nature docs.He made one on woodpeckers.At that time he stated that pileated woodpeckers were rare and endangered.Im so thankful that they have recovered somewhat.I hear them more than I see them.

[@Barblooms]

I loved those shows!

[@victorianastav4969]

@@Barblooms Marty Stouffer's Wild America!

[@rhodawatkins4516]

@@victorianastav4969 I loved that movie they made about the Stauffer brothers growing up. It's old but it's still so good. Has Jonathan Taylor Thomas in it when he was young. Wild America. Check it out.

[@jeremyblackwater439]

I watch wild America every Saturday morning at 730 here in central Virginia 😃

[@justayoutuber1906]

His shows are on KZbin. look them up

[@HeartlandTuber]

We feed birds seed and suet off a small balcony that is off our third floor bedroom. We often see pileateds hanging on the suet. It is like being visited by a dinosaur! They are magnificent birds.

[@Jack-up2cf]

Just watched a pair of these amazing woodpeckers chase each other around the trees behind my home. I put a suet feeder out for the nuthatches and chickadees that have been taking sunflower seeds from my hand. Wanted them to have a source of food when I am not around and did not expect to draw such a unique guest. Funny how the little birds will trust taking from your hand and the larger birds like the bluejays and these woodpeckers are so skittish. The jays crack me up the way they dance about trying to get my attention to let me know there are no peanuts left for them. You can enjoy hours of watching all these birds day in and day out.

[@AntiLoveBiotechnology]

I'm watching a pileated woodpecker trying to make a nest in the same tree that a small hairy woodpecker has made a nest and has hatchlings. That little one chases the big pileated away, very cool to watch. The pileated did make a nest in an old tree on the alley but hasnt gone back to it since we had 2 days of rain. Haven't seen his mate either. Fla

[@sfall616]

You should record it if able!

[@AntiLoveBiotechnology]

@@sfall616 I was going to try but yesturday a red bellied woodpecker and his mate took over the little hairy woodpeckers nest and I heard the commotion but didnt have time to help. They must have killed the hatchlings. They have now completely taken their hole and are making it bigger. It was so sad to see mom & dad hairy wpecker come back and find it all destroyed. I'm going to get these new ones out of that tree before they have eggs. I just cant believe they did that and killed the babes when we have so many trees on 3 lots.

[@staciesheppard2048]

I think this is what my dad used to call a Goodgod. As in, "Good God, look at that woodpecker!"

[@deirdre108]

Interesting! The Ivory Billed Woodpecker that Lesley mentioned was probably extinct was often called the lord god bird for the same reason!

[@hokep61]

My Grandpa also always called them "Good Gods".

[@ratoneJR]

My buddy has 2 of them in his yard, in Michigan...everyday. I saw them over Zoom, again today. Huge.

[@kevinesterline622]

Pileated woodpeckers are in my backyard every morning. I remember when they were a rare site or sound. You had to go into the woods then. And if you were lucky you would see or hear one. Very different kind of bird. Awesome to watch and ez to hear.

[@JohnDillinger12]

These guys are so breathtaking and surprisingly elusive for a fairly large and VERY loud bird. But when you get to watch them fly and in action it is such a treat, especially the striking, powerful males. I have a pair that live in the ravine/forest in my backyard in Eastern Ontario and I am always blessed to have a clear view when I see them. I'll never forget the first time I heard then saw the male up close about 15 feet from me in 2020 it took my breath away.a top 3 bird in my area for me!.

[@richpaydirt]

One of my favorite birds. My wife and I live on 20 acres adjacent to a protected riparian area with old growth fir and cedar. We’re fortunate to see them often and watch them tend to their chicks. They’ll spend the summer carving out a standing dead grand fir so that it has the shape of an upright canoe. They love the carpenter ants inside.