A welcomed surprise for the Prescotts

BayToday.ca readers Ken and Madeline Prescott got a welcome surprise today as they looked out to their backyard. The couple were thrilled to find a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers having a wee nosh at their Van Horne Crescent birdfeeder and sent the above photo.

According to ‘All About Birds’ the Pileated Woodpecker has a loud ringing call, drill rectangular holes in trees, have a Wingspan: 66-75 cm, and can be as large as a crow -- making them the largest woodpecker in North America.

Also, a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers will stay in their territory all year round, and will defend the territory in all seasons, however, they are a bit kinder in the winter months by tolerating floater birds.