I know these impressive birds live nearby as I hear their call often and see them darting between the trees, but they seldom come close enough for me to get photos of them.
Today's photo is a pileated woodpecker. His name can be pronounced either PIE-lee-ay-tid or Pill-lee-ay-tid. I grew up calling it a PEE-lee-ay-tid woodpecker. I'm not sure if that is a Maine pronunciation or whether it was a family thing. I try to remember to say it correctly now, but I don't always succeed, especially if I am excited to see one (which I usually am).
I know these impressive birds live nearby as I hear their call often and see them darting between the trees, but they seldom come close enough for me to get photos of them.
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This pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) has been lurking in the wooded area behind my home for several years. I have caught glipses of him in the distance and have heard his call. But, yesterday was the first time he has come close enough for a decent photo.
These impressive birds reach an adult size of 16 to 19 inches with a wingspan of 26 to 30 inches. Although they are common year round in Maine, they are listed in the Migratory Bird Treaty Protected Species Act. The pileated woodpecker prefers wooded areas with some dead or downed trees as they feed on carpenter ants, beetles and other insects that make their home in the dead wood of trees. I have observed them near a small stream that runs through a wooded area and in an area of the woods that was recently cut. They often fly from one area to another along the same path at the back of my yard. |
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