What made this hole?

R

RLR

Joined
Jan 10, 2000
Messages
871
I spotted these holes in trees near my house. I can't figure out what would make them. We have all the usual suspects around here - beavers, woodpeckers - but I have never seen anything like this before. I do remember porkupines making a mess in my younger days, but there aren't any around here. I don't think it's of human decent either!

hole.jpg
 
Heres a pic I found on the web. I once filmed one that was the size of a pheasant. The dam thing was like a jackhammer on the tree. I couldnt believe how much force was behind that thing.

brdpw040627.jpg

According to Jerry Jackson, an expert on woodpeckers, the bird was probably excavating "a carpenter ant colony that took up residence in the base of the tree following an injury to the tree -- possibly a fire or lightning strike, or maybe a mechanical injury." In any event, he says, "This is a typical Pileated feeding site."

The reason why the hole is so big is because the wood is already punky.
 
Cool...I took this a couple weeks ago and I was wondering the same thing. Obviously not to the same extent (that's a damn impressive effort!), but interesting to come across nonetheless. It looks like it's been worked through from both sides evenly.
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Absolutely a Pileated. Incredible to see one "working". How that tiny little brain can take that abuse is a marvel of nature. Hearing one and seeing the chips flying is really a treat.

KR
 
That is amazing! Thanks for all the other pics too. We've seen and photographed Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, but yet to see a Pileated. Now I'll have to be more watchful.
 
Piliated woodpecker for sure,I have witnessed them perform such work on a few occasions, and keep in mind they are about the size of a crow.
 
yep Pileated Woodpecker. Was fortunate enough to have one living in a tree in my backyard. Beautiful bird
 
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