08/04/2025
If you've ever heard a deep, rhythmic drumming echo through the trees in Canterwood, chances are you’ve had a Pileated Woodpecker nearby. These striking birds are the largest woodpeckers in North America, about the size of a crow, measuring between 16 and 20 inches long with wingspans stretching up to 30 inches!
One of the most fascinating features of the Pileated Woodpecker is its remarkable tongue. To protect their brains during relentless pecking, their long tongues actually wrap around the back of the skull, nature’s built-in helmet. The tongue extends nearly four inches, tipped with sticky barbs to pull insects from deep inside tree bark.
Whenever I photograph these majestic birds, I can’t help but think of dinosaurs. Their bold red crests, strong beaks, and piercing eyes give off a distinctly prehistoric vibe, almost like a scene out of Jurassic Park.
And the best part? Every one of these photos was taken right in my own backyard here in Canterwood. Nature truly puts on a show if you pause to look.
- Canterwood Resident Ed Cropley
