Pileated woodpeckers have a diverse diet that primarily consists of carpenter ants. These woodpeckers are highly skilled at finding and extracting these ants from trees. Carpenter ants are a favorite food source for pileated woodpeckers due to their high protein content. However, these woodpeckers also consume other types of ants, wood-boring beetle larvae, termites, and various other insects.
In addition to insects, pileated woodpeckers also feed on wild fruits and nuts. They have been observed eating blackberries, sumac berries, poison ivy berries, holly berries, dogwood berries, and elderberries. These fruits provide a source of carbohydrates and additional nutrients for the woodpeckers.
I personally had the opportunity to observe a pileated woodpecker feasting on berries during the fall season. It was a beautiful sight to see the vibrant red berries contrasting against the bird’s black and white plumage. The woodpecker would pluck the berries from the branches with its strong beak and consume them with great enthusiasm.
It is interesting to note that pileated woodpeckers can also be opportunistic feeders. They have been known to visit bird feeders and eat suet, nuts, and seeds. This behavior is more common during the winter months when natural food sources may be scarce.
To summarize, the diet of pileated woodpeckers primarily consists of carpenter ants, supplemented by other ants, wood-boring beetle larvae, termites, and various other insects. They also consume a variety of wild fruits and nuts, including blackberries, sumac berries, poison ivy berries, holly berries, dogwood berries, and elderberries. These woodpeckers can also occasionally visit bird feeders for suet, nuts, and seeds.