Recommended camera settings#
Focal length needed to frame it#
For a subject about 32 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.
| Distance | ⅓ of frame (FF) | ½ of frame (FF) | ⅓ of frame (APS-C) | ⅓ of frame (MFT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 m (16 ft) | 176 mm | 262 mm | 118 mm | 88 mm |
| 10 m (33 ft) | 353 mm | 525 mm | 235 mm | 176 mm |
| 15 m (49 ft) | 529 mm | 787 mm | 353 mm | 264 mm |
| 20 m (66 ft) | 705 mm | 1,050 mm | 470 mm | 353 mm |
| 30 m (98 ft) | 1,058 mm | 1,574 mm | 705 mm | 529 mm |
| 50 m (164 ft) | 1,763 mm | 2,624 mm | 1,175 mm | 882 mm |
About the Pileated Woodpecker#
The pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is a large woodpecker native to North America. This crow-sized bird normally inhabits deciduous forests in eastern North America, the Great Lakes, the boreal forests of Canada, and parts of the Pacific coast. It is the second-largest woodpecker in the United States, after the critically endangered and possibly extinct ivory-billed woodpecker.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Field-craft tips#
- Dead snags are favourite drumming posts.
- Expose for the bright head patches; forests are dim, so raise ISO before dropping shutter speed.
- Trunk-clinging birds sit in shade: watch your shutter speed and use zone AF to avoid focusing on bark.
- Sightings peak in April and May, which is when you'll have the most chances.
Ethics#
- The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
- Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
- Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
- Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.
More Woodpeckers#
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescens
Northern FlickerColaptes auratus
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinus
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosus
Acorn WoodpeckerMelanerpes formicivorus
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus varius
Golden-fronted WoodpeckerMelanerpes aurifrons
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalus
Frequently asked questions#
What lens do I need to photograph a Pileated Woodpecker?
At about 32 cm long, a pileated woodpecker fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 353 mm, or at 20 m with 705 mm.
What shutter speed should I use for a Pileated Woodpecker?
1/800 s when it's still; 1/2500 s for action.
When is the best time to photograph a Pileated Woodpecker?
Observations in North America peak in April and May. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.
Sources & licences#
- iNaturalist — Observation data CC BY-NC; photo licence as credited
- Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources