Editor’s Note: The Pileated Woodpecker is part of the CROW CAW (Case A Week) series, which tells the stories of the patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, the dangers they face, and how we can help protect all of our wildlife. Read previous cases here.
Pileated Woodpeckers are the largest woodpeckers in America and live year-round in Florida. Primarily black and white, their brilliant red crest is their most notable feature. Pileated woodpeckers leave characteristic rectangular holes in dead trees by excavating deep into rotten wood to get at the nests of carpenter ants.
Ecologically, all woodpeckers are essential to the well-being of many other bird species. The birds abandon the hole once their babies leave the nest and do not use it again. These abandoned nests provide good homes for many forest songbirds, owls, tree-nesting ducks, and raccoons. Other woodpeckers and smaller birds, such as wrens, feed on the insects found in abandoned nests.
Our case of the week, Pileated Woodpecker (24-4693), was found in a building and unable to fly. During CROW intake, our staff noted that he appeared to suffer from head trauma or soft tissue trauma. Although he can perch, he’s not attempting to fly and favors his right wing. Radiography didn’t show any apparent fractures or abnormalities.
Our staff’s biggest concern at this stage is this patient is only eating a few mealworms and berries. He isn’t eating enough to thrive and maintain a healthy weight. Staff is syringe-feeding him daily to supplement his diet and help him stay healthy. This week, the woodpecker will be moved to a larger enclosure to help him exercise his right wing.
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