Saturday, September 12, 2015

Saturday Sightings- the Pileated Woodpecker

Happy Saturday everyone!  This week, information is being brought to you in regards to the bird that we can hear around the grounds here at the museum
 
 


The Pileated Woodpecker is one of the biggest and most striving birds in North America.  It whacks at dead trees and fallen logs looking for prey, like caterpillars and ants.  When it is done whacking at trees and logs, it leaves unique rectangular holes.  Their bill is long and chisel-like. 

This bird has mostly black with white stripes on the face and neck, but their defining feature is their flaming-red crest.  The Pileated Woodpecker has white underwings and small white crescents on the upper side, which are revealed when they fly.  Their wings are broad and this bird can seem crow-like when they fly. Males are the ones with the red stripe on the cheek. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Catie and Ben

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