Pileated Woodpecker (Hylatomus pileatus)

 Male

Female

The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker species that you will see in North Carolina. They are easily identified by the very distinctive red crest placed right on top of their heads. 

The males and females look mostly the same, but have one distinguishing feature. Both genders have a whisker mark starting from the base of the beak and stretching across the face. The whisker mark on a male is red, while the whisker mark on a female is black.

A Pileated Woodpecker was heard in the area drumming its beak against a hollow tree. These woodpeckers do this in order to establish territories, choosing hallow tree to resonate the sounds of their drumming over a greater distance. 

The Pileated Woodpecker is also easily identified by its call.