Evidence of Pileated Woodpeckers around the Sanctuary

Evidence of Pileated Woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) can be seen on the trees along the trail to South Lookout.

The largest living woodpecker species in North America, pileated woodpeckers create unique holes that can be easily differentiated from those of other woodpeckers by shape and size. Look for large, rectangular-shaped holes in dead trees, both standing and fallen. Holes created by pileated woodpeckers can be used by a variety of cavity-nesters, including owls, wood ducks, bats, and flying squirrels.

Photo by Noah Rauch.