The Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is a very large woodpecker found across much of North America. With its striking red crest, black and white plumage, and loud, distinctive calls, this bird is hard to miss. But just how big is the Pileated Woodpecker? In this article, we’ll take a close look at the size of these impressive birds.
Wingspan
The wingspan of the Pileated Woodpecker ranges from 26 to 30 inches (66 to 76 cm). This makes it one of the largest woodpeckers found in North America. The Pileated has broad, rounded wings ideal for the powerful flight needed to move their large bodies between trees. The wingspan allows them to efficiently propel themselves over long distances in search of suitable habitat. Compared to other woodpeckers, the Pileated’s expansive wingspan enables it to cover more area with less effort.
Body Length
Pileated Woodpeckers measure 16 to 19 inches (40 to 48 cm) long from bill tip to tail tip. Again, this makes them one of the largest woodpeckers on the continent. Their substantial body length aids them in excavating nest and roost cavities in dead trees. The long, sturdy bill can hammer away at wood, while their lengthy bodies allow them to really lean into their work. Their size enables them to carve out larger nesting holes than many other woodpecker species need.
Weight
These hefty birds weigh between 8 and 12 ounces (230 to 340 grams), which is very heavy for a woodpecker. All that body mass contributes to the Pileated’s ability to hammer repetitively on trees with great force. Their weight also helps anchor them tightly to tree trunks as they excavate nesting, roosting, and feeding holes. Heavier birds can dig deeper into the bark for stability.
Size Comparisons
To better understand the Pileated Woodpecker’s size, it helps to see how they stack up against other bird species:
Vs. Crow
Pileated Woodpeckers are approximately the same size as American Crows, though somewhat heavier in weight. Standing side-by-side, the woodpecker and crow appear remarkably similar in overall length and wingspan. Yet the woodpecker’s dense, stocky body build makes it weigh a bit more than the sleek, slender crow.
Vs. Red-Bellied Woodpecker
At over twice the size, Pileated Woodpeckers dwarf their smaller relative the Red-Bellied Woodpecker. Weighing in at only around 3 ounces (85 grams) with a wingspan of 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 cm), the Red-Bellied Woodpecker is less than half the heft of the Pileated. This size difference helps reduce competition between these two species.
Vs. Northern Flicker
The Northern Flicker is another widespread North American woodpecker. It’s larger than the Red-Bellied but still much smaller than the Pileated, weighing about 5 to 8 ounces (140 to 230 grams). The Pileated is 3 to 6 inches longer in body and wingspan than the Northern Flicker. The Pileated can excavate deeper nesting cavities than the smaller Flicker can access.
Vs. Common Raven
With a length up to 21 inches (53 cm) and weight around 2.5 pounds (1,100 grams), Common Ravens are among the largest all-black birds in North America. Overall, ravens are a bit longer than Pileated Woodpeckers, but woodpeckers have a greater wingspan and heavier body mass per inch. These traits help equip them for optimized wood excavation.
Vs. Red-Tailed Hawk
A medium-sized buteo, Red-tailed Hawks measure about 19 to 25 inches (48 to 64 cm) long with a wingspan of 40 to 57 inches (102 to 145 cm). Adults weigh 2 to 4 pounds (0.9 to 1.8 kg). The hawk dwarfs the woodpecker in weight, but their lengths and wingspans are similar. In flight, the broad wings of the soaring hawk contrast sharply to the Pileated’s rapid wingbeats.
Male vs. Female Size
There is some degree of sexual dimorphism in Pileated Woodpeckers when it comes to size. Males tend to run larger than females in some key measurements:
Body Size Dimorphism
– Males average around 18 inches (46 cm) long, while females are typically closer to 17 inches (43 cm).
– Male weight runs 9 to 12 ounces (255 to 340 g), heavier than the female’s range of 7 to 10 ounces (200 to 280 g).
So males are marginally longer and heavier than their female counterparts, though with overlap in the ranges.
Bill Size Dimorphism
One easily noticeable difference between the sexes is relative bill size.
– The male’s bill measures around 2.2 to 2.6 inches (5.6 to 6.5 cm) long.
– The female’s bill runs smaller at 1.9 to 2.2 inches (4.8 to 5.5 cm) in length.
This bill size dimorphism may facilitate different feeding techniques between the sexes. Males with larger bills can drill deeper holes.
Regional Size Variation
Across the Pileated Woodpecker’s extensive range, size can vary slightly between regional populations:
Northern Populations
In the far northern reaches of their range in Canada, Pileated Woodpeckers tend to be a bit smaller in length and weight compared to southern populations. This is consistent with Bergman’s Rule, an ecogeographic pattern observed in many bird species where northernmost populations average smaller overall body size. More compact size reduces heat loss in cooler climates.
Southern Populations
In the southernmost parts of their range, such as Florida and parts of the Gulf Coast, Pileated Woodpeckers achieve their maximum dimensions of length and wingspan. Warmer climates enable slightly larger body size over winter.
Western Populations
West of the Rocky Mountains, size metrics of the Pileated Woodpecker are fairly intermediate between the larger southern and smaller northern extremes.
So while regional variation exists across the range, the differences are modest. All populations share the Pileated Woodpecker’s characteristic large size compared to other North American woodpecker species occupying the same habitats.
Size Over Time
Has the Pileated Woodpecker’s size changed much over decades past? Analysis of historical museum specimens provides insight:
19th Century
Pileated Woodpecker specimens collected in the 1800s show very similar overall length, wingspan, and weight measurements compared to today’s birds. No appreciable size differences are apparent over the last 150 years. Their large stature has remained steady.
Pre-19th Century
Little data is available before the 1800s, but there is no evidence for size fluctuations prior to that either. The Pileated Woodpecker’s dimensions have likely been relatively unchanged for millennia. Their specialized body plan as wood excavators seems to have locked in an optimal size over time.
Future Size
With a historically stable size profile, there is little reason to expect substantial changes in Pileated Woodpecker size metrics going forward. Continued conservation will be key to maintaining large tracts of woodland habitat needed to support populations of these big woodpeckers into the future.
Conclusion
With its expansive wingspan, lengthy body, and hefty weight, the crow-sized Pileated Woodpecker is truly one of the giants of North America’s woodpecker family and bird world as a whole. Its considerable size enables it to thrive as an ecosystem engineer across forested environments. A stunning bird, the Pileated Woodpecker remains an impressive sight, whether glimpsed excavating a tree or flying over the forest canopy, flashing its bold red crest.
Measurement | Pileated Woodpecker |
---|---|
Length | 16-19 inches (40-48 cm) |
Wingspan | 26-30 inches (66-76 cm) |
Weight | 8-12 oz (230-340 g) |
Bill Length | Male: 2.2-2.6 inches (5.6-6.5 cm) Female: 1.9-2.2 inches (4.8-5.5 cm) |