For peace of mind.

Playing peek-a-boo with a Pileated

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)

April 24, 2024

Photo: Robin Horn

"A big, dashing bird with a flaming crest, the largest woodpecker in North America (except the Ivory-bill, which is almost certainly extinct). Excavating deep into rotten wood to get at the nests of carpenter ants, the Pileated leaves characteristic rectangular holes in dead trees. This species became rare in eastern North America with clearing of forests in centuries past, but has gradually increased in numbers again since about the beginning of the 20th century. Where unmolested, it even lives in parks and woodlots around the edges of large cities."

Sphyrapicus varius Baird. - Wurmspecht - Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

Colaptes auratus Vig. - Goldspecht - Flicker.

Melanerpes carolinus Ridgw. - Carolinaspecht - Red-bellied Woodpecker.

Melanerpes erythrocephalus Sw. - Rotkopfspecht - Red-headed Woodpecker.

Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi Ridgw. - Sammelspecht - California Woodpecker.

Ceophloeus pileatus Cab. - Haubenspecht - Pileated Woodpecker.

Photo: Doug Greenberg

"In shady woods, this odd warbler walks with deliberate steps on the forest floor, holding its short tail cocked up higher than its back. Although it is not especially shy, its choice of habitat often makes it hard to observe; its ringing chant of teacher, teacher is heard far more often than the bird is seen. The name 'Ovenbird' is a reference to the bird's nest, a domed structure with the entrance on the side, like an old-fashioned oven."

me: yeah whatever. i don't feel shit

5 min later: dude i swear the house is 1/4" bigger on the inside