Description: Pileated woodpeckers are crow-size woodpeckers with a
large crest of red crown feathers. Its wingspan is almost 30 inches. The long,
black bill presents a distinctive silhouette. Males have a red patch of feathers
from the back of the bill across the cheek to a point under the eye. Females
have a black narrow band of feathers in the same area.
Habitat: The pileated woodpeckers live in large mature tracts of
forests in Michigan. These forests often contain a number of dead and dying
trees that the pileated uses both for feeding and as nesting cavities.
Conservation: Maintaining pileated woodpecker populations will require
the maintenance and management of old growth forests in Michigan. Education on
the bird's role and how to avoid building damage will also help to protect the
unique piece of Michigan's heritage.
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