Pileated Woodpecker

The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest forest woodpecker in North America, measuring up to 19 inches long with a fiery red crest and striking black-and-white face patterns. Their flight is strong and deeply undulating, and they leave massive rectangular excavation holes in dead trees.

Striking high-contrast pattern featuring a solid glossy black outer web and a stark white inner web with broad black barring, showcasing melanin-based pigmentation typical of the species' wing coverts and primaries.

Tightly interlocked pennaceous structure on the outer vane, showing robust barbs with strong hooklets, and a semi-plumulaceous base near the calamus. The feather is mostly intact with minor fraying along the upper edge.

Strong, robust, and slightly curved central rachis that is dark brown-black on the upper side and paler underneath. Barb density is high with barbs tightly angled toward the tip.

Stiff, smooth, and rigid along the pennaceous vanes with a glossy finish on the dark surfaces, providing the necessary strength for powerful wingbeats.

Wing, specifically an outer primary flight feather, determined by its elongated stiff shaft, aerodynamic curvature, and asymmetrical vanes adapted for strong, undulating flight.

Distinctive high-contrast black-and-white coloration split cleanly across the asymmetrical vanes, combined with the rigid, durable structure characteristic of large woodpecker flight feathers.

Deciduous and mixed forests with a high density of mature trees and dead standing timber, which are essential for foraging and nesting.

Resident across forested regions of North America, spanning from Canada down through the eastern United States and parts of the Pacific Coast.

Acts as a primary forest ecosystem engineer by controlling wood-boring insect populations and creating essential nesting habitat for numerous other forest creatures.

Other large black-and-white birds such as the Red-headed Woodpecker or Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, though their feathers are significantly smaller and exhibit markedly different patterning.

Pileated Woodpeckers play a keystone role in forest ecosystems by excavating large cavities that are subsequently used by dozens of secondary cavity-nesting species, ranging from small owls to wood ducks.

Historically utilized by various Indigenous North American tribes for ceremonial regalia and ornamentation due to their striking coloration and association with forest power.

Look near the bases of large dead trees or fallen logs in mature deciduous forests during late summer molt periods.

Good condition with minor wear and slight fraying at the extreme tip, typical of a naturally molted feather exposed to the elements before discovery.

Found in Burlington, VT