opportunistic target
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
Crow-sized forest woodpecker that may visit large suet stations near mature woods.
Quick identification
Know the field marks.
- Very large black woodpecker
- Flaming red crest
- Bold white neck stripe and white wing flashes
Where to look
Large wooded tracts, mature bottomlands, and tree-rich edges.
Missouri timing
When it may visit.
ColumbiaYear-round
St. LouisYear-round
Season windows are practical guidance, not a guarantee. Weather and migration vary.
Attraction plan
Improve the odds—without promises.
Suet cage
Habitat matters more than food; visits remain uncommon.
- Serve
- Suet
- Place
- Use a large, firmly mounted feeder with a long tail prop beside mature trees.
Care note: Secure heavy feeders and remove spoiled suet; never approach nests or active cavities.
Same station, more possibilities
Related birds.
Learn more
Trusted field references
- Species guide: Pileated WoodpeckerCornell Lab of Ornithology ↗
- Bird FeedingMissouri Department of Conservation ↗
BirdQuest summary last reviewed 2026-07-20. External sources open in a new tab.