Dryocopus pileatus is one of 14 species of woodpeckers in British Columbia (Family Picidae) (Fenneman & Toochin 2017). The other species commonly seen in coastal temperate forests are the downy woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers, northern flickers and yellow-bellied sapsuckers.
Description:
D. pileatus are the largest woodpeckers in North America and can grow up to 49 cm long (Gov BC n.d.). The body is predominantly black with white streaks from the bill, across the cheeks, neck and chest (CWF 2017). The most striking feature of the pileated woodpecker is the bright red, pointed plumage across the top of the head or crest. These birds have strong short legs with four-toed, clawed feet arranged for good grasping of tree trunks. Their stiff tail feathers provide extra stability as they perch vertically on trees and hammer into the wood with their strong beaks, creating holes while searching for food (National Audubon Society n.d.; CWF 2017).
Ecology:
Pileated woodpeckers are more common in southern British Columbia than in other parts of the province (Gov BC n.d.). They are more often found in mature coastal Douglas fir and western hemlock forests, but also live in younger forests with older dead trees in it (CWF 2017). They live year-round in these forests and require large territories for feeding and nesting. They establish and defend their territories with their loud distinctive drumming that can be heard up to a kilometer away (National Audubon Society n.d.; CWF 2017).
The pileated woodpeckers attach to trees and chip away at the wood, creating deep holes. They then insert their tongue into the holes to pull out wood-dwelling insects. Their preferred food are carpenter ants that are found in softened dead logs, stumps or snags. They also eat berries, nuts, fruits and insect larvae (Gov BC n.d.).
The pileated woodpeckers attach to trees and chip away at the wood, creating deep holes. They then insert their tongue into the holes to pull out wood-dwelling insects. Their preferred food are carpenter ants that are found in softened dead logs, stumps or snags. They also eat berries, nuts, fruits and insect larvae (Gov BC n.d.).
Life History:
Pileated woodpeckers usually mate for life. The mating pairs begin to excavate new nesting cavities in April (Gov BC n.d.). Typically, they choose deciduous trees to nest in but will also create nesting cavities in western hemlocks, Douglas fir and red alder (Gov BC n.d.). The preference is for trees that have soft wood. Trees infested with fungi are in the process of decomposition and have softened wood that is ideal for easy excavation (Hartwig et al. 2004). The distinctive rectangular nesting cavities are at least 4 m above ground.
Once the 3 to 5 eggs are laid, both partners share nesting duties, including incubation and then feeding of the young (CWF 2017). The young remain with parents for most of the summer and leave in September. Nesting cavities are used only once by the mating pair as new holes are made each year. The cavities then become available shelter for other birds (e.g. owls) and rodents (e.g. squirrels) (CWF 2017).
Once the 3 to 5 eggs are laid, both partners share nesting duties, including incubation and then feeding of the young (CWF 2017). The young remain with parents for most of the summer and leave in September. Nesting cavities are used only once by the mating pair as new holes are made each year. The cavities then become available shelter for other birds (e.g. owls) and rodents (e.g. squirrels) (CWF 2017).
References cited:
[CWF] Canadian Wildlife Federation. 2017. Pileated woodpecker. [accessed 2018 Jan 30]. http://cwf-fcf.org/en/resources/encyclopedias/fauna/birds/pileated-woodpecker.html.
Fenneman J, Toochin R. 2017. Birds of British Columbia, Updated checklist. In: Klinkenberg B, editor. 2017. E- Fauna BC: Electronic Atlas of the fauna of British Columbia. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. [accessed 2018 Jan 30]. http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/efauna/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Dryocopus%20pileatus.
Government of British Columbia. n.d. Pileated woodpecker. Sooke Hills Wilderness and Mount Wells Regional Parks Project. [accessed 2018 Jan 30]. http://a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/acat/documents/r1537/whr_4156_bpiwo_1096647876692_b21dacd4faed4d9b98b5dc6d62b0d762.pdf.
Hartwig CL, Eastman DS, Harestad AS. 2004. Characteristics of pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) cavity trees and their patches on southeastern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Forest Ecology and Management. 187(2–3):225–234.
National Audubon Society. n.d. Audubon Guide to North American birds. Pileated woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus. [accessed 2018 Jan 30]. http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/pileated-woodpecker.
Fenneman J, Toochin R. 2017. Birds of British Columbia, Updated checklist. In: Klinkenberg B, editor. 2017. E- Fauna BC: Electronic Atlas of the fauna of British Columbia. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. [accessed 2018 Jan 30]. http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/efauna/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Dryocopus%20pileatus.
Government of British Columbia. n.d. Pileated woodpecker. Sooke Hills Wilderness and Mount Wells Regional Parks Project. [accessed 2018 Jan 30]. http://a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/acat/documents/r1537/whr_4156_bpiwo_1096647876692_b21dacd4faed4d9b98b5dc6d62b0d762.pdf.
Hartwig CL, Eastman DS, Harestad AS. 2004. Characteristics of pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) cavity trees and their patches on southeastern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Forest Ecology and Management. 187(2–3):225–234.
National Audubon Society. n.d. Audubon Guide to North American birds. Pileated woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus. [accessed 2018 Jan 30]. http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/pileated-woodpecker.