Pileated Woodpecker Watching in Oregon

One of the less common varieties of Woodpeckers found in Oregon is the Pileated Woodpecker. The Downy Woodpecker and the Northern Flicker are found in greater numbers, but the Pileated Woodpecker can be found year round in the state as well. This bird is among the larger Woodpeckers, with adults often being 18 inches in length. Their call is often describe as like a laugh or a cackle, and their drumming can be extremely loud and quick, sometimes sounding like a hammer.Like other Woodpeckers, the Pileated Woodpecker mainly eats insects and larvae, but also fruits and nuts on occassion. They are known for boring out large cavities in dead trees which are used as nests for one breeding season and then abandoned. Pileated Woodpeckers are non-migratory so they are found in equal numbers in Oregon all year round.

Habitats for Pileated Woodpeckers

The Pileated Woodpecker will nest in dead trees, and they prefer mature forests. They spend all their time in the area near their nests, and of course their hammering is one of the easiest ways to find them. They are commonly found in the Tualatin National Wildlife Refuge among other places in the area, and they are one of the species that actively breed in Oregon.

Best seasons to see Pileated Woodpeckers in Oregon

Pileated Woodpeckers live in Oregon and all along the Pacific Coast all year round, though summer is when conditions for the birder are best. Early mornings and evenings are typically the best times of day to observe them.

Pileated Woodpeckers in Oregon summary

Typical habitat: Mature forests with nests bored in dead trees
Seasons: All year round
Abundance: Uncommon – usually present but may not be seen or heard in suitable habitat

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