The Pileated Woodpecker is a large, crow-sized woodpecker found in forests across much of North America. With its striking red crest and black and white plumage, it is easy to identify. If you’ve seen a Pileated Woodpecker before, you may wonder what other woodpeckers share a similar appearance.
Woodpeckers Similar in Size and Shape
In terms of size and shape, the following woodpeckers closely resemble the Pileated Woodpecker:
- Northern Flicker – Very similar in size and shape to the Pileated, although the male Northern Flicker has distinctive red markings on its wings and tail.
- Ivory-billed Woodpecker – Now critically endangered and possibly extinct, the Ivory-billed looks nearly identical to the Pileated, although it lacks the Pileated’s red crest.
- Imperial Woodpecker – This larger cousin of the Pileated, found only in Mexico, is slightly bigger but shares the same general size and shape.
Woodpeckers with Black and White Plumage
In addition to its red crest, the Pileated Woodpecker’s black and white body plumage makes it easy to recognize. Other North American woodpeckers that share this striking black and white pattern include:
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Downy Woodpecker
- Red-cockaded Woodpecker
- Black-backed Woodpecker
- White-headed Woodpecker
- Lewis’s Woodpecker
While smaller in size, these species all exhibit a similar black and white checkerboard pattern across their wings and back.
Woodpeckers with Red on the Head
The Pileated Woodpecker’s flashy red crest is one of its most distinguishing features. Several other North American woodpecker species also sport red on their heads:
- Red-headed Woodpecker – Entire head is red in males.
- Acorn Woodpecker – Forehead and crown are red.
- Gila Woodpecker – Forehead and crown patch are red.
- Red-bellied Woodpecker – Forehead and crown are lightly red.
While varying in the extent of red on their heads, these species share the Pileated’s signature red plumage on the head.
Woodpeckers that Excavate Large Cavities
One of the Pileated Woodpecker’s defining behaviors is excavating large, rectangular cavities in trees for roosting and nesting. Few other woodpeckers are capable of hollowing out such massive cavities:
- Northern Flicker – Often excavates cavities nearly as large as the Pileated’s.
- Ivory-billed Woodpecker – Created very large, deep cavities in mature trees.
- Imperial Woodpecker – The largest woodpecker in the world, capable of making giant cavities.
These exceptionally large woodpeckers share the Pileated’s ability to excavate huge cavities, which provide crucial habitat for many other species.
Woodpeckers that Drum Loudly
The Pileated Woodpecker is notorious for its loud, frequent drumming on tree trunks that can be heard from a great distance. A few other woodpeckers match the Pileated for their loud, far-reaching drumming:
- Northern Flicker
- Rufous-necked Woodpecker
- Campo Flicker
These species all advertise their territories and attract mates with a rhythmic hammering every bit as loud as the Pileated’s. The drumming of all four species can carry over a half mile or more through the woods.
Summary
While no North American woodpecker perfectly matches the Pileated across all attributes, many share similarities in size and shape, color patterns, cavity excavation, and loud drumming. The Northern Flicker is perhaps the most similar in overall appearance, behavior, and ecology. Beyond North America, the Pileated’s larger cousin the Imperial Woodpecker comes closest to matching it in virtually all characteristics.
With its distinctive plumage, carpentry skills, and raucous voice, the Pileated Woodpecker stands apart as one of North America’s most iconic woodpeckers. While other species share some of its traits, none can quite compare to the complete profile of this forest giant.
