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Are There Pileated Woodpeckers in Maryland?

Yes, pileated woodpeckers are common year-round residents throughout Maryland. These striking black woodpeckers with brilliant red crests inhabit forests across the state. Maryland's mix of piedmont and Appalachian forests provides excellent habitat. They are found throughout the state. You can encounter them in state parks and suburban woodlands.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 21, 2026.

Pileated Woodpecker photographed in Maryland

Pileated Woodpecker · Thomas Koffel CC BY

Pileated Woodpecker photographed in Maryland

Pileated Woodpecker · froggymum CC BY

Pileated Woodpecker photographed in Maryland

Pileated Woodpecker · Shirley Zundell CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Found in Maryland
247,497
GBIF records
6
birding hotspots

Yes, pileated woodpeckers are in Maryland. Next you'll want:

Yes, pileated woodpeckers are common year-round residents throughout Maryland. These striking black woodpeckers with brilliant red crests inhabit forests across the state. Maryland's mix of piedmont and Appalachian forests provides excellent habitat. They are found throughout the state. You can encounter them in state parks and suburban woodlands.

Where to Find Pileated Woodpeckers in Maryland

Pileated woodpeckers live throughout Maryland's forested regions. The Appalachian highlands in western Maryland, including the Catoctin Mountains and surrounding areas, support healthy populations of these birds. The Piedmont region in central Maryland contains numerous forests where pileated woodpeckers thrive. The Patuxent River valley offers extensive suitable habitat. The Chesapeake Bay watershed supports populations throughout its forested areas. Patuxent River Park and other protected areas near the Potomac River regularly host these woodpeckers. State forests including Savage Mill and Morgan Run reserves provide good habitat for viewing pileated woodpeckers inMaryland. The Eastern Shore has some pileated woodpecker populations in remaining forest tracts. Shenandoah National Park, just over the Maryland border in nearby Virginia, and the parks immediately adjacent provide habitat continuity for populations in western Maryland. Even in suburban areas with sufficient mature forest patches and dead trees, pileated woodpeckers can establish territories and thrive.

Season and Activity Patterns

Pileated woodpeckers in Maryland are year-round residents, remaining in the state throughout all seasons. They do not undertake long-distance migrations like many bird species. Their activity level and behavior shift with the changing seasons. In late winter and early spring, beginning around February, territorial calling and drumming increase substantially as birds establish breeding territories. The breeding season extends from March through June, with peak activity and vocal calling occurring in spring. During this period, their loud calls echo frequently through Maryland's forests, making them easier to locate and hear. Summer finds them less vocal but still actively foraging. Fall brings moderate activity levels as they maintain territories and prepare for winter. Even during the coldest Maryland winters, these hardy birds remain active in forested areas. Learn more about Maryland birds and seasons on theMaryland wildlife hub.

Identifying Pileated Woodpeckers

Pileated woodpeckers rank among North America's largest woodpecker species, measuring approximately sixteen to nineteen inches in length. The most striking feature is the bright red crest adorning the head in both males and females. Males have a red stripe running from the bill along the cheek, while females display a black line in the same location. The body is predominantly black with white patches visible under the wings and along the sides. Their necks are proportionally thick and powerful. The bill is long, pointed, and exceptionally strong for chiseling wood. These measurements and features make positive identification relatively straightforward in most cases. The red crest is immediately recognizable and present on all adult pileated woodpeckers. Their large size alone distinguishes them from the smaller woodpecker species common in Maryland. The white wing patches flash noticeably during flight. Their loud, resonant call is also distinctive and aids in identification. Learn more about pileated woodpecker identification on theMaryland wildlife guide.

Best Viewing Locations in Maryland

Several specific locations in Maryland offer excellent opportunities for observing pileated woodpeckers. The Gambrill State Park in Frederick County provides forest habitat suitable for these birds. Savage Mill State Forest offers mature woodland and has hosted documented pileated woodpecker populations. The Sugarloaf Mountain area in Montgomery County contains forest patches where these birds occur. Patuxent Research Refuge near Laurel hosts pileated woodpeckers and offers educational programs about state wildlife. The Morgan Run State Forest provides habitat in central Maryland. State parks along the Potomac River, including areas near Point of Rocks and Nolands Ferry, support these birds. The forests of the Catoctin Mountains in Washington County represent particularly good habitat. The Chesapeake Bay's forested tributaries contain populations of pileated woodpeckers. Many smaller county parks and nature preserves throughout Maryland provide suitable habitat for viewing these birds.

Behavior and Feeding Habits

Pileated woodpeckers spend the majority of their time foraging for food on tree trunks and dead branches. They are primarily insectivorous and feed extensively on carpenter ants, which constitute a large portion of their diet. They also consume wood-boring beetle larvae and other insects found beneath tree bark. These woodpeckers are known for making characteristically large, rectangular excavations while searching for food. These holes often measure several inches across and reflect the birds' powerful digging ability. Unlike some woodpecker species that make rapid pecking motions, pileated woodpeckers frequently produce deep, deliberate excavations. They maintain consistent territories year-round and defend these areas vigorously through calling and displays. Pileated woodpeckers are generally solitary outside the breeding season, though pairs remain together on their territories throughout the year. They are active foragers throughout daylight hours, continuously moving between trees in search of food. Their loud territorial calls serve multiple functions including pair communication and territorial advertisement. Find more aboutMaryland wildlifeand how these birds fit into the forest ecosystem.

Coexistence and Legal Protections

Pileated woodpeckers are fully protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in Maryland and throughout the United States. This legal protection prohibits harming, capturing, or killing these birds. Maryland law also provides additional state-level protections. If a pileated woodpecker excavates holes in your wooden structure, you should not attempt to remove the bird yourself. Instead, contact the Maryland Department of Natural Resources or a licensed wildlife professional for guidance and assistance. The excavation holes these birds create serve important purposes in dead wood where the woodpeckers forage. Leaving standing dead trees on your property benefits pileated woodpeckers and many other wildlife species. These birds do not pose any direct threat to human health or safety. They are shy, wild birds that generally avoid close contact with humans. Pileated woodpeckers are non-aggressive toward people. Coexisting peacefully with these impressive birds enriches your natural surroundings.

Species Confusion and Look-alikes

Several other woodpecker species occur in Maryland and might potentially confuse beginners, though pileated woodpeckers are quite distinctive. The Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers are smaller species that lack the pileated's red crest and large size. The Northern Flicker, while larger than some woodpeckers, is much smaller than a pileated woodpecker and has very different coloring and patterns. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is noticeably smaller and lacks distinctive characteristics of pileated woodpeckers. The Red-bellied Woodpecker is medium-sized and lacks the striking red crest. The Black-backed Woodpecker is smaller and does not have the prominent red crown. Once you observe a pileated woodpecker with its large size, massive bill, predominantly black body, and brilliant red crest, confusion with other species becomes nearly impossible. The combination of these distinctive features makes positive identification straightforward for even novice birders. Field guides specific to Maryland birds will help you learn to differentiate between pileated woodpeckers and other woodpecker species in the state.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland's Pileated Woodpeckers

Q: Are pileated woodpeckers found throughout Maryland? A: Yes, they are common year-round residents found in suitable forest habitat statewide. Q: What is the best season for seeing pileated woodpeckers in Maryland? A: Spring and early summer offer the best viewing opportunities when birds are most vocal and active. Q: Can pileated woodpeckers damage homes in Maryland? A: While they normally prefer dead trees, they occasionally peck at wooden buildings if carpenter ants are present inside. Q: How can I attract pileated woodpeckers to my property? A: Maintaining mature trees and leaving dead trees standing provides the best habitat for attracting these birds. For additional information about pileated woodpeckers and other Maryland wildlife, visit theMaryland wildlife information hubor explore the comprehensivewildlife directory.

Plan your pileated woodpecker sighting in Maryland

247,497 verified pileated woodpecker records have been logged in Maryland, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.

Where to look in Maryland

Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).

Recent pileated woodpecker sightings

  • South Shore Trail, Millersville · 2026-07-20 18:21 · 1 seen
  • 2610 Belle Crest Lane, Silver Spring, MD · 2026-07-20 18:03 · 1 seen
  • Hughes Hollow - McKee Beshers WMA · 2026-07-20 18:00 · 2 seen
  • Seth Demonstration Forest · 2026-07-20 17:51 · 1 seen
  • Henson Home · 2026-07-20 17:00 · 1 seen

Planning a trip to see pileated woodpecker? Find places to stay near Antietam National Battlefield on Booking.com.

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