The Pileated Woodpecker is as large as a Crow and his distinctive sign is a flaming red crest. Its length reaches 45 cm and its flaming red crest distinguishes clearly from any other woodpeckers. Its cry is similar to that of the Flicker but the voice is more "throaty".
When it pecks on a tree trying to find grubs or beetles with its great bill, it whacks away with such force that chips fly.
It is fairly easy to recognise if a Pileated Woodpecker has been on a tree as their holes are rectangular and it rips off heavy strips of bark that no other member of the family could attempt to imitate.
