Pair of Pileateds

2015-12-23 08.35.50

Just before Christmas, this amazing couple made a joint appearance at my peanut butter suet feeder in the backyard. I felt extremely fortunate. Pileated Woodpeckers, Ohio’s largest woodpecker species, usually don’t frequent close to buildings. Apparently, the grove of trees that line the western boundary of our property provide enough protection for this pair of Pileated Woodpeckers that frequent the suet feeder. Seldom, however, do they feed together. The female is on the left, the male on the right. Can you make the distinction?

Fortunately, the Pileateds usually announce their arrival with a loud call meant to discourage other birds away from the feeder. That also allows me to grab my camera and be ready for just the perfect picture.

“Pair of Pileateds” is my Photo of the Week.

Happy New Year!

Author: Bruce Stambaugh

I am a writer, author, photographer, birder, walker, hiker, husband, father, grandfather, brother, Anabaptist, and community activist. My life is crammed with all things people and nature and wonder. My late father gave me this penchant for giving and getting the most out of life, my late mother the courtesy, kindness, and creativity to see the joy in life. They both taught me to cherish the people I am with. I try and fail and try again. View all posts by Bruce Stambaugh

16 thoughts on “Pair of Pileateds”

Ava says:

December 31, 2015 at 8:05 am

An outstanding photo! What a delightful Christmas gift from God.

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1. Bruce Stambaugh says:
  
  December 31, 2015 at 12:53 pm
  
  Thanks, Ava. Indeed, that’s what I thought right away.
  Bruce
  
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alice says:

December 31, 2015 at 8:32 am

What a treat, I have seen very few here in Northern IN. Does the extra stripe on red under the bill indicate the male?

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1. Bruce Stambaugh says:
  
  December 31, 2015 at 1:01 pm
  
  Alice,
  Yes, I should have indicated that the male was on the right, the female on the left. Thanks for asking, and for visiting my blog.
  Bruce
  
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Gail B. says:

December 31, 2015 at 10:10 am

Amazing, you are so lucky. I would be happy to see one in our garden.

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1. Bruce Stambaugh says:
  
  December 31, 2015 at 12:52 pm
  
  Thanks, Gail. Keep watching. You just never know.
  Bruce
  
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Bonnie says:

December 31, 2015 at 12:15 pm

LOVE it, we are fortunate enough to see one in our woods once in a while.

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1. Bruce Stambaugh says:
  
  December 31, 2015 at 12:52 pm
  
  Thanks, Bonnie. I’m glad you get to see them, too.
  Bruce
  
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trudyjohnson says:

December 31, 2015 at 12:30 pm

You were blessed to see them and we are blessed by your sharing the experience via your picture.

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1. Bruce Stambaugh says:
  
  December 31, 2015 at 12:51 pm
  
  Thanks, Trudy. I’m glad you enjoyed the experience as much as I did.
  Bruce
  
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Dick says:

December 31, 2015 at 5:19 pm

More red on the male!

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1. Bruce Stambaugh says:
  
  December 31, 2015 at 10:22 pm
  
  Yep.
  
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furrygnome says:

December 31, 2015 at 10:24 pm

Incredible picture! I’ve never seen two together, not that close. You can clearly see the difference. I should try a peanut butter feeder. How does it work?

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1. Bruce Stambaugh says:
  
  December 31, 2015 at 10:34 pm
  
  Thanks. It’s a feeder that holds four cakes of peanut butter suet. I also use three mini-bungee cords to hold the top on so the four-legged critters don’t get into the suet. The rest is up to the birds.
  Bruce
  
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Sheree Hyde says:

May 23, 2017 at 10:35 pm

Bruce I love the photo. So beautiful. But then you do live in Heaven on earth. Whenever I go to Holmes county I feel like I am going home and I have never lived there in my life! God Bless!

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1. Bruce Stambaugh says:
  
  May 24, 2017 at 7:20 am
  
  Thanks, Sheree. I’m glad you like the photo and Holmes Co. We just moved to VA to be closer to the grandkids. I’m hoping to attract pileated woodpeckers to our new backyard.
  All the best,
  Bruce
  
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