Three images. Posting 5 of 8 in this series of postings on the Pileated Woodpecker family. GO To http://www.pbase.com/hankvv/image/149565565
for the start of the series (1 of 8).

Finally some young Pileated Woodpeckers. Last year I watched this pair of adults make several nest cavities but never did find the nest. Perhaps I got too close. This year, whilst keeping my distance, I watched the male chisel out a large cavity for over four weeks. I then saw the Misses inspect the cavity and order him back for another three days of work. Then for three to four weeks I observed both the male and female entering/leaving the cavity presumably to take turns doing nest-sitting duties. Finally, for the past two weeks I saw both adults bring food to the nest, but I never did see nor hear any young; that is, until yesterday morning when I heard the young and I saw one of the young sticking its head out.

I went back yesterday afternoon to try and get some shots even though it was very overcast and dark below the thick forest canopy, necessitating the use of a very high ISO. I confirmed that indeed there were at least two young, one male and one female, both already quite big. The nest cavity is at least 20 - 25 meters up and is largely obscured by the many branches and leaves typical of a deciduous forest.

In the top image, Mom is feeding the young female.


The young female. Note the black bar on its chin.


The young male. Note the reddish bar on its chin. Note also the tip of the female's beak.