Dryocopus Pileatus

Also known as the Pillieated Woodpecker and inspiration for Woody the Woodpecker. This species of woodpecker has unfortunately become a bit rare in Eastern North America due to deforestation and because of that, I have spent the last three years hoping to see one on a casual hike. I was at Brukner Nature Center and Preserve when I would have walked passed this woodpecker if it hadn’t decided to start pecking about 15 feet away from me.