Pileated Woodpeckers

I noticed a Pileated Woodpecker flying silently into my neighbor's woods. Since they usually make a lot of noise, this seemed strange so I followed it to investigate.

I didn't see the woodpecker but I did find the remains of an oak tree which had lost its top and branches and which had about a five inch diameter hole near the top. I moved to a spot where I could see the hole and eventually a baby woodpecker peeked out, saw me and withdrew into the hole.

The next day, after getting permission from my neighbor, I set up a blind and photographed the adult woodpeckers feeding the two chicks in the nest hole. Each day, I moved the blind to get a different angle and took more photographs. Unfortunately, after three days, the young woodpeckers left the nest. I haven't seen or heard any sign of them or the adults since.

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