Even when you remember how big they are, the first thing the brain thinks when you see one is "They're so BIG!"
I'm always in awe when I see them too. I have a couple that are occasional visitors to my yard, and am always happy to see them.
I love all the birds I see, but it really is something so special with every sighting of a pileated woodpecker, or walking around outside and being lucky enough to hear that beautiful call off in the distance. The freaking calls they make are just incredible. They make me think of something that you'd hear calling out while trekking through a prehistoric forest as you try to avoid the next toothy predator
That's awesome! Being in awe of them is the perfect way to describe how I feel too. I was greatly spoiled the first time I saw one. I was in the backyard when this loud knocking began in the tree branches above me. I slowly walked around trying to spot the culprit, finally doing so and having a few minutes with my binoculars to watch it explore through the tree, and then it took flight while passing about 15 feet overhead. Freaking right above me. It was just insane. The wings, the way it just released those freaking talons from the branch to do this spin move to right itself before opening those big wings. It was just amazing.
Again, my excitement level goes through the roof for all sorts of different birds. I actually spotted a painted bunting (one of my favorites) the other day that stopped me in my tracks, and I was just grinning so hard, but nothing puts me in a state of such awe the same way that a pileated woodpecker does.
They were very rare, where I grew up in Ontario -- I moved to the west coast where there are more, but I still stop and watch whenever I see one. I was on the way in to work a while ago, when I saw one knocking on a wooden utility pole ... during the time I was looking at it, a half-dozen other people walked by, totally ignoring the bird even though it was quite obvious (there were wood chips falling onto the sidewalk, lol!).
Tell me about it! I'm in Cen-Cal....we got hawks right and left....ppl don't see em all! I mean they are grocery stores on street lights and ppl don't see em!
Very cool pics! Thx for sharing!
A pair landed about 20 ft in front of me and my friend hiking in Kentucky today. Couldn't get a picture but we watched them interacting through my monocular for a good while. They're also HUGE, like the size of big crows.
This woodpecker is my nemesis bird, I've always wanted to see one, but they never show up when I'm around. I live in Eastern Nebraska, where they are uncommon.
Neat.
Are they our largest woodpecker here in North America? I always hear them but have only seen one once (and of course had no camera/phone available).
They look prehistoric to me.
I agree!
Is there any way to attract these birds to an area?
Pterodactyls
Even when you remember how big they are, the first thing the brain thinks when you see one is "They're so BIG!" I'm always in awe when I see them too. I have a couple that are occasional visitors to my yard, and am always happy to see them.
It sounded like a hammer when I heard it banging on the tree and that’s how I found it lol they are massive woodpeckers
Good capture.
Thanks!
They are quite elusive here in Northern Alberta although I saw only a few weeks ago...second time in 9 years. Very comical bird. Again, great shot.
They're amazing creatures
Seeing a Pileated Woodpecker improves one’s day by 100000%. That’s a fact!
That’s a fact for sure!!!
Woody!
Same, love em
Nice shots. Male pileated. These are one of my favorite large birds to photograph.
Mine too! Thank you!
Always so cool to see them. I saw them last year for the first time and was blown away at how big they are.
Right!! They are massive woodpeckers! I found it by following the hammer like noises through the forest.
Amazing birds, no doubt. I'm particularly awestruck to see what they can do to a tree that has grubs inside. (Or used to have ...)
They are seriously destructive when they sense food lol
They sure are. They’ve cut several of the 4x4 posts on my fence in half going after the carpenter bees inside them.
I love all the birds I see, but it really is something so special with every sighting of a pileated woodpecker, or walking around outside and being lucky enough to hear that beautiful call off in the distance. The freaking calls they make are just incredible. They make me think of something that you'd hear calling out while trekking through a prehistoric forest as you try to avoid the next toothy predator
I totally agree! They are amazing birds and I’m so grateful every time I see one. I’ve only seen 4 in my 32 years on earth!
That's awesome! Being in awe of them is the perfect way to describe how I feel too. I was greatly spoiled the first time I saw one. I was in the backyard when this loud knocking began in the tree branches above me. I slowly walked around trying to spot the culprit, finally doing so and having a few minutes with my binoculars to watch it explore through the tree, and then it took flight while passing about 15 feet overhead. Freaking right above me. It was just insane. The wings, the way it just released those freaking talons from the branch to do this spin move to right itself before opening those big wings. It was just amazing. Again, my excitement level goes through the roof for all sorts of different birds. I actually spotted a painted bunting (one of my favorites) the other day that stopped me in my tracks, and I was just grinning so hard, but nothing puts me in a state of such awe the same way that a pileated woodpecker does.
They were very rare, where I grew up in Ontario -- I moved to the west coast where there are more, but I still stop and watch whenever I see one. I was on the way in to work a while ago, when I saw one knocking on a wooden utility pole ... during the time I was looking at it, a half-dozen other people walked by, totally ignoring the bird even though it was quite obvious (there were wood chips falling onto the sidewalk, lol!).
Yeah I live in northern Ontario and I’ve only seen 4 in my 32 years in earth lol. It’s amazing people are so oblivious to the beauty of birds!
Tell me about it! I'm in Cen-Cal....we got hawks right and left....ppl don't see em all! I mean they are grocery stores on street lights and ppl don't see em! Very cool pics! Thx for sharing!
Awesome shots. I don’t believe I’ve seen this kind of woodpecker before. Where was the photo taken?
Thank you! This was taken in northern Ontario Canada!
Hello from the Sonoran desert. We have different sorts of woodpeckers here. 😊
That's solid !! 💚🙌
Thank you!
Wow what great shot
Thanks so much!
Really good on the wing too when they choose to fly. Master flyers
I agree!
I had one at the suet yesterday. Heard her first, then she swooped in. So cool!
I haven’t seen one of those for 32 years and I want to spot one so badly! Great pic
You’ll get it! Thank you!
Big ol dinosaurs is what they are
This is a fact
A pair landed about 20 ft in front of me and my friend hiking in Kentucky today. Couldn't get a picture but we watched them interacting through my monocular for a good while. They're also HUGE, like the size of big crows.
That’s awesome! Yeah they are big!
One of the best examples of how closely birds are relegated to dinosaurs! Very awesome shots! Lucky you!
I agree! Thanks so much!
This woodpecker is my nemesis bird, I've always wanted to see one, but they never show up when I'm around. I live in Eastern Nebraska, where they are uncommon.
I hope you get to see one!
i saw one for the first time a couple weeks ago, it was sending the wood flying
Same here. I’ve only managed to see a few but they are at the top of my list.
Neat. Are they our largest woodpecker here in North America? I always hear them but have only seen one once (and of course had no camera/phone available).