When I see the shy Pileated Woodpecker on Eighty Acres I often have flashbacks to my1950's Saturday morning cartoon shows of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and the screwball Woody Woodpecker. The Pileated Woodpecker is one of the largest woodpeckers in North America with a wingspan of nearly 30 inches. It makes it's home on Eighty Acres due to the large number of dead Elm trees. The Pileated Woodpecker is a real "head banger" and seems never to worry about headaches or following concussion protocol. It feeds on insects, ants and beetle larvae found within the dead trees, with its strong beak it hammers the trees chipping out long rectangular holes.
Pileated Woodpeckers mate in April and make their nest in a hollowed out tree about 10-15 feet above the ground. 3-5 eggs are laid and both the male and female stay together as they raise their young.
The call of the Pileated Woodpecker is very distinctive and somewhat eerie. Many people refer to it as a "jungle bird" sound. Listen carefully...and just maybe some quiet evening you may hear her calling. Then you will know you have a Pileated Woodpecker in your backyard, or that its simply Woody Woodpecker returning from your childhood memories to remind you of those wonderful Saturday morning cartoons.