What made this hole?

[ceiw]

That's unbelieveable....a woodpecker of all things. I would have guessed a beaver for sure.

 

[Helle]

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

While deer hunting in WI a couple years ago I had one land on the ground about ten feet away and start working over a stump, thing sounded like a machine gun.

I will admit that there was some pucker factor going on since I was sitting on the ground and it was BIG, what a site though.

Helle

 

[KiljoyKutlery]

I don't know, but my girlfriend could NAG that hole in the tree.....

 

[norcalblacktail]

You guys would love the video I have of one. I should try and find it and post it.

 

[1Tracker]

I was camping in Florida a few years back and had setup my camp near a few pine snags. EARLY the next morning I heard what I thought was rapid fire from pig poachers. Nope, JUST a Pileated woodpecker who decide that the tree 15ft from my campsite was to be his campsite too! I spent the next few days watching him build/excavate his nest from scratch. the coolest part was that towards the end he was bringing 2 different chicks over to check it out. STUD! I spent an extra few days and watched him shack up with one of them finally; figured it was time to go...

 

[omcjf]

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. We have quite a few of them in Minnesota. They are quite destructive but it still gives me a thrill every time I see one. You can't imagine how big those things are until you've seen one with your own eyes.