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[[image: pileatedwoodpecker.jpg ]]

'''Common Name:''' Pileated Woodpecker

'''Scientific Name:''' Dryocopus pileatus

'''Size:''' 16-18 inches (40-49cm)

'''Habitat:''' Throughout Canada, and in the United States; East of the Mississippi and Pacific Northwest. Prefers conifer forests.

'''Status:''' Least concern. '''Global Population:''' 930,000 mature individuals. Populations declined greatly with the clearing of the eastern forests. The species rebounded in the middle 20th century, and has been increasing slowly and steadily in most of its range. Only in Arkansas do numbers appear to be declining.

'''Diet:''' Insects, beetle larvae, fruits, and nuts.

'''Breeding:''' Four white eggs are laid. Nesting takes place in tree cavities that are lined with wood chips.

'''Cool Facts:''' The Pileated digs rectangular shaped troughs in trees to find ants. These troughs can be so wide and deep that they can cause small trees to break in two. Many birds such as House Wren and the Hairy Woodpecker specifically look for these troughs to forge in.

The Pileated prefers the largest of the trees for nesting which presences a risk of possible lightning strikes on the tree.



'''Found in [http://hivewire3d.com/songbird-remix-woodpeckers.html Songbird ReMix Woodpeckers]'''