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The Hazen's Notch Association is a non-profit conservation organization located in montgomery center, vermont.

The hna provides environmental education programs for schools, conducts a summer camp for children, maintains a network of trails for cross country skiing, snowshoeing and hiking on 2,500 acres of land and serves as a local land trust.

Your membership in the Hazen's Notch Association supports our work in conservation, environmental education, recreational trails, scientific research and stewardship of natural resources.

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Hazen's   Notch   Association
Nature News from the Green Mountains of Northern Vermont
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Birds

Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus

The Pileated Woodpecker is our largest woodpecker with a body length of 16" - 19", a weight of 9 ounces - 12.5 ounces, and a wingspan of 26" - 30". There is a distinct difference of color between the adults: the male has a red crest and forehead and has red in its black mustache stripe; the female has a red crest and a gray to yellow-brown forehead and no red in the mustache stripe.

<  Male Pileated Woodpecker left & below



   Pileated Woodpecker pairs remain year-round on their breeding territory. Within the last two weeks, the call, a loud and long "kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk" can be heard as the breeding season begins. At this time of the year, before the leaves are out, one can observe the woodpecker by listening for the call and by looking at large, old maple trees.

Male Pileated Woodpecker above

   Pileated Woodpeckers make large rounded rectangular excavations on old trees in search of their favorite foods: carpenter ants & wood boring beetle larvae. Later they will excavate roundish holes in which to raise their young. Their holes persist for a long time & present nesting & roosting opportunities for many birds & mammals: American Kestrel, Saw-whet Owl, Raccoon, & Flying Squirrel.

- Deborah Benjamin

   ^  Female Pileated Woodpecker above

Pileated Woodpecker "Cavity" in Sugar Maple - below   

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For More Information

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Habitat
Pileated Woodpeckers are found in mixed deciduous and coniferous forests where there are large trees. Large excavated cavities in older trees indicate the presence of Pileated Woodpeckers. Their cavities are visible for many years. A pair will defend its territory year-round and will remain in a general location for many years, as long as they can find food and nesting opportunities.

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Wildlife Observation Tips
A large pile of wood chips at the base of a tree indicates a recent visit for feeding. Their calls ring loud and can be heard from as far as 1/2 mile away.

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Recommended Reading
Birdwatching in Vermont by Ted Murin and Bryan Pfeiffer. Publisher: University of New England Press, 2002.

The Sibley Guide to Birds by David Allen Sibley.
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, 2000.

The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior by David Allen Sibley. Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, 2001.

The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Vermont edited by Sarah B. Laughlin and Douglas P. Kibbe. Publisher: Vermont Institute of Natural Science with University Press of New England, 1985.

Birds of the Northeast by Winston Williams.
Publisher: World Publications, 1989.

Waterbirds of the Northeast by Winston Williams.
Publisher: World Publications, 1989.

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This page was last updated on February 18, 2006

Copyright 2001-2007 Hazen's Notch Association for the Environment, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.

  Hazen's Notch Association  l  P.O. Box 478  l  Montgomery Center VT 05471  l  info@hazensnotch.org  l  802.326.4799