The pileated woodpecker is often seen around here, but is usually timid and flies away before I can take any pictures. This one was quite involved looking for bugs, and didn’t seem to pay any attention to me.
It is the largest woodpecker in Canada. This one is a male, as it has a red stripe on its cheek. Females don’t have the red stripe. Both have a red crest. They are about the size of a crow.
They like to eat insects and grubs, and often make huge rectangular holes in stumps and dead trees. They also eat fruit and nuts. Their beaks are like a jack hammer. It is very loud and rapid and sounds like the tree is being hit with a large hammer.
