Pileated Woodpecker

LC - Least Concern

N5 - Secure

SNR - Unranked

not listed

Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in Minnesota. It is the largest in the United States with the exception of the possibly extinct Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Adults are slightly smaller than an American Crow, 16″ to 19″ in length with a 26″ to 30″ wingspan. They weigh 8.8 to 14 ounces. They survive about 13 years in the wild.

The body, tail, and wings are mostly dull black.

The bases of the primary and secondary wing feathers are white, forming a small white crescent in the upper wing surface that is only visible when the bird is in flight. A small white patch of these feathers may be visible when the bird is perched. The underside of the wing is mostly white but the trailing edge is black.

The head is black and white with a prominent crest. The male has a red crest, red crown, and red forehead—the red extends from the bill to the nape of the neck. The female has a red crest only—the red extends from the nape of the neck to the rear part of the crown. The male also has a narrow, red stripe running from the bill to the throat. The chin is white, the bill is dark, and the eyes are yellow. There is a white line that extends from the bill, beneath the eye, down the neck, and onto the side of the body.

16″ to 19″ in length

29″ wingspan

This bird excavates large, rectangular holes in in trees. Scattered, large wood chips are often found at the base of a tree with a recently excavated hole.

Extensive, mature deciduous, mixed, or coniferous forest, riparian woodlands, suburban woodlots.

In early spring the male excavates a large nest hole in a dead tree. If he attracts a female, the two of them will finish excavating the nest cavity. The entrance hole to the finished nest cavity is rectangular.

The female lays usually four white eggs, sometimes as few as one or as many as six. The eggs hatch 15 to 18 days later. The young stay in the nest 24 to 28 days.

There is only one brood per year. A new nest is excavated each year.

Carpenter ants, wood-boring beetle larvae, berries, and nuts.

Uncommon year-round resident

The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map

Some authorities separate New World Pileated Woodpeckers into their own genus Hylatomus, Old World Pileated Woodpeckers remaining in the genus Dryocopus. This is not universally accepted.

Some authorities recognize four subspecies, some only two. Under either classification, Northern Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus abieticola) is the only subspecies who’s range extends into Minnesota.

At our suet

I have seen this guy a couple of times now and finally got a picture. I have the Minnesota River (what you) in our backyard on the edge of Le Sueur. I supply the birds & squirrels with sunflower seeds, thistle, suet and corn on the cob. Today I refilled my double suet feeder and was surprised how fast it went last time...think I know why!!

First time sighting for me!!

It sat feeding for approximately 10 minutes before flying off. We have a heavy wooded area on our farm.

1 pair

On October 23, 2018, 1:26 PM, I was shocked to see this wonderful woodpecker snacking on the premium seed mix from our new feeder. I could only quickly use my phone shooting through the glass and screen door, so sadly it's not sharp. A very rare sighting in our neighborhood.

There were two!

Here, a female Pileated Woodpecker is working on getting blackoiled Sunflower seeds. This is the second time there's been a Pileated at one of my feeders. The first time was earlier this year.

Today I got a photo

We had 4 possibly 5 in our front yard late afternoon early evening..... Couldn't get them all in the same picture

taken May 19th, 2017

It was at the feeders 3 times today. But spooked very easily.

Exploring our telephone pole

Wow, this bird makes a racket!

In our back yard.

Suet was nearby, but this guy thought that he might find some insects in the roof of my birdfeeder. What a racket he was making!

Gorgeous bird!

I just moved to MN from SoCal. This was one of the coolest things I've seen. Beautiful with his red crown and right in my yard!

I took this picture today at our suet feeder. We live three miles east of Waseca in a woods. First time we have seen one here in the 20 years we have lived here.

Rectangular Excavation

Wood Chips at the Base of a Tree

Location: Holdingford, MN

Location: Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota

saw it first in early spring 2022. Then heard it all summer. Saw it again today In the south Valley Park area.

Location: Owatonna, Minnesota

Location: Buffalo, Mn

We have a pair living around here.   I don't know where the nest is but they visit our yard almost daily.  They eat my garden in the summertime.   They are giant birds.   Much bigger than a crow. 

Location: Southwest Minneapolis

Have seen this bird in the neighborhood earlier this winter.  This is the first time I have seen one in Minneapolis.

Location: Le Sueur, MN

I have seen this guy a couple of times now and finally got a picture. I have the Minnesota River (what you) in our backyard on the edge of Le Sueur. I supply the birds & squirrels with sunflower seeds, thistle, suet and corn on the cob. Today I refilled my double suet feeder and was surprised how fast it went last time...think I know why!!

Location: Coon Rapids, MN

I spotted a Pileated woodpecker at my red maple tree in Coon rapids. 1/1/21 13:25

he was pecking at an existing hole in the tree.

Location: Cottage Grove, Washington County, MN

First sighting ever on my suet feeder. A very nice Sunday late morning surprise! 👍🏻

Location: Casey Lake Park, North Saint Paul, MN

Spent a fair amount of time in a tree on a quiet residential street.

Location: Holdingford, MN

Location: rural Austin, MN at my feeder

It sat feeding for approximately 10 minutes before flying off. We have a heavy wooded area on our farm.

Location: Old Cottage Grove

Just saw the biggest woodpecker and after reading your page I believe it to be the Pileated Woodpecker. It was in my neighbors yard in Old Cottage Grove pecking at a dead cedar tree. I wish I took out the camera, but I was just in aw so much I forgot. Really cool to see. When i asked my neighbors about it, they said "we see him every once in a blue moon" he or a family of them must live in the area that they see him at least once a year.

Just a wonderful way to start the friday.

Location: Hugo, Mn

Location: Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden Minneapolis, MN

Location: Albany MN

At our suet

Location: Wyoming , MN

Two flying from tree to tree

Location: back yard 25 feet high in Maple tree at 1704 Pulaski Rd.  Buffalo, MN (east of Lake Pulaski).

It is pounding on the backside of a large dead branch in a Maple tree that has a few other dead branches also.  I’m thinking it is  female and it has been there for 20 minutes or more.

Location: Jordan, MN

1 pair

Location: Rural Farmington

Have two pairs (two males and two females) who visit our bird feeders daily.

Location: ford parkway street in st paul, MN

was on a telephone pole

Location: Esko MN

On our backyard deck.

Location: Maple Grove, MN

On October 23, 2018, 1:26 PM, I was shocked to see this wonderful woodpecker snacking on the premium seed mix from our new feeder. I could only quickly use my phone shooting through the glass and screen door, so sadly it's not sharp. A very rare sighting in our neighborhood.

Location: Savage, MN

Two of them playing together in my backyard

Location: Westwood Hills Nature Center

Location: Canosia Township

my yard near pike lake

Location: Becker County

Location: St. Francis

2 in our yard

Location: Wayzata

Location: Becker County

Location: Minneapolis- kenwood

Location: Becker County

Location: Saint Paul in Como neighborhood

Location: North Minneapolis, Minnesota

Location: Lake Le Homme Dieu, Alexandria, MN

Location: Hutchinson

saw 2 in our yard

Location: Burnsville

Mother and two fledglings. Mother was feeding the young ones as well as showing them how to feed. Young birds also following the example and pecking on their own.

Location: Edina

video on YouTube if search "pileated woodpecker and Edina"

Location: Emily, Mn

we are visited every few days by this beautiful Woodpecker! He loves the suet feeder. Eats for about 10 minutes, then he's off! 

Location: Minnetonka, MN at 7:30 pm

pecking a nest in a dead tree stump.  Been pecking for the past 15 minutes.

Location: East Union,MN

Male pleated woodpecker... hanging on my 6 inch suet feeder, coming by daily

Location: Lake Shore

Location: Andover

Pulling peanuts from a wire ring, about 10 days. 10 days of continuous sightings, comes to the ring multiple times, opens the peanut and hides one half in the tree and flies off with the other half.

Location: Pennington Co. MN

Here, a female Pileated Woodpecker is working on getting blackoiled Sunflower seeds.  This is the second time there's been a Pileated at one of my feeders.  The first time was earlier this year.

I know there are plenty images of this bird, but Pennington Co needs to represent!

Location: Lake Elmo, MN

We are located near Lake Jane in Lake Elmo. He/She ate from our suet cake feeder.

Location: Duluth, MN

behind Lake Superior College

Location: Red Lake Minnesota

Location: Stillwater, MN

Location: Oak Grove Minnesota

Today I got a photo

Location: Oak Grove

Large Colorful at least 12” feeding on Suet in backyard feeder. Frequently returns to the old dead oak tree, then back to feeders

Location: Eden Prairie

There were two!

Location: Maple Grove, MN, west side not far from Corcoran. Very residential neighborhood.

We have them at our backyard feeder – not sure if male or female, but they love the suet cakes!

Location: Bemidji, Minnesota

We had 4 possibly 5 in our front yard late afternoon early evening..... Couldn't get them all in the same picture

We have one living in our neighborhood! He likes to bang on my bedroom window sill in the morning! Ugh! I am within three feet of him. I will try to get a picture but I am usually sleeping.

Location: Bloomington

pecking on tree stump in our front yard

Location: Wright County, Delano

taken May 19th, 2017

Location: Shakopee

I got a pic of this beautiful bird hanging on the suet feeder, getting some lunch.

Location: Bloomington

attacking a dead box elder tree

Location: Brittany Park (west side), Champlin, MN

We saw this beautiful bird out our window checking out a dying tree in our backyard. He was very large and the head had more red in it than in the pictures I've seen.  This park is also home to an Eagle and Great Horned Owl. 

Location: Lake Waverly

Location: lake Waverly

Made a large cavity in a tree by a stream with all the wood chips at the base of the tree.

Location: Eden Prairie,Mn

Location: Richmond, MN

It was at the feeders 3 times today. But spooked very easily.

Location: St. Paul (near Lake Como; Ivy and Victoria)

Exploring our telephone pole

Location: South Minneapolis -- 44th Ave S and 52nd St

eating from a suet bird feeder on my front lawn

Location: West side of Lake of the Isles Minneapolis

Hammering loudly on our boulevard tree for about 10 minutes. Large and beautiful bird.

Location: west side of Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis

Time was about 9:30 a.m. I spotted a pair of birds, one chasing the other. One was large, the other much smaller.

The smaller bird was chasing the larger. Then I saw that the large bird was a pileated woodpecker. It moved from tree to tree in a small area. I didn't have binoculars with me, but I didn't need them!  I must have stood for five minutes observing it.

The other bird was a downy woodpecker. There was a lot of bird activity around the lake at this time. Great blue heron.

An immature eagle. Many downy woodpeckers.  The pileated was a sight to behold.

Location: Hutchinson ,MN

Came to suet in back yard.

Location: Mendota Heights, MN

Wow, this bird makes a racket!

Location: Mazeppa, MN

My first sighting of a Pileated Woodpecker. Visited my suet feeders in front of our house. We live in a wooded valley region. Hope to see her again!

Location: Cedar, MN

In our back yard.

Location: Akeley -11th Crow Wing

We have a pair that live close by but are too quick for me to snap a picture of.

Location: Minneapolis

Location: New Prague

Location: Cannon Falls, MN

This is my first sighting of a pileated woodpecker on our property and, now that I know its here, I'll keep my eye out for him (or her) again. Video link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/svmmctxnh875eqf/Giant%20woodpecker.mp4?dl=0

Location: La Crescent, Mn.

landed on Tv Antenna tower but flew away right away

Location: Near the corner of Maplewood/Beaver Lake

Location: Savage

Suet was nearby, but this guy thought that he might find some insects in the roof of my birdfeeder. What a racket he was making!

Location: Buffalo, MN

Location: Mound MN

Very cool! See it every spring.

Location: Eagan

Location: Lake George

Coming to my feeders with sunflower seeds and peanuts.

Location: Plymouth

My first time seeing this bird - what a thrill!

Location: Owatonna

gorgeous bird!

Location: Edina MN

Location: Jackson MN

Location: Fergus Falls

On our deck looking for the bird feeders

Location: Mahtomedi

I just moved to MN from SoCal. This was one of the coolest things I've seen. Beautiful with his red crown a D right in my yard!

Location: Pelican Lake MN

Saw it going up the oak tree right outside our living room.

Location: Little Falls,MN

We have two of them that I see almost daily come to both the suet feeder and on our trees. They are beautiful!

Location: Mankato, Mn

Just a glimpse of a female flying by in Rasmussen Woods at 7:45 am. Wow ! I've been wanting to see one for some time !

Location: Plymouth, southwest corner Medicine Lake

Watched a pair Mate this morning. Guessing thats a once in a lifetime. They maybe setting up shop, nesting, in a big oak right off my deck.

Location: Green Heron Pond, University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska, MN 55318

​A major accomplishment on my life list:  ​
A single bird was sighted in the top of sugar maples in mature forest, on the edge of Green Heron Pond. When startled, the bird moved to the back side of the trees, and stayed aloof, though verbal throughout the sighting. Two types of calls were heard, one being the more familiar ​but very loud, ​sharp​,​ cherp-peep of wood peckers, and the other was the inspiration for Woody Woodpecker of television fame.  The Arboretum is 1100 acres of forest, wetland and cultivated gardens, located in Chaska, MN.  Feeders at the Oswald visitor center and native plant restorations provide​ generous amounts of ​varied ​habitat for birds like these.

​Temperatures at time of sighting were minus 15F wind-chill, 6 F, blue sky, sunshine, wind from the NW at 15 mph.​

Location: South Saint Paul near Highway 52.

The woodpecker was seen on a maple tree in the neighbors back yard.  It was pecking at the tree for about a half hour and left.  We found out what kind of woodpecker it was by doing a google search for woodpeckers in Minnesota and recognized a picture of it.  We were surprised at how big it was.  We didn’t know there was a woodpecker that big. 

Location: 16192 Old Highway 14, Waseca, MN

I took this picture today at our suet feeder.  We live three miles east of Waseca in a woods. First time we have seen one here in the 20 years we have lived here.

Location: Camp Arrowhead. South of Deerwood, MN on Hwy 6