Pileated Woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) are primarily insect eaters. Their favorite food is carpenter ants. They listen for ant activity in an old rotting tree and then pound away. Once through the wood, they use their long, barbed and very sticky tongue to get the ants forming feeding cavities that are more irregular in shape and rougher around the edges. These cavities tend to appear lighter in color inside and they don't often lead to hollow chambers. They are located in both fallen logs as well as standing trees. Pileateds also feed on ground ants, beetles, cluster flies, moths, mosquitoes, caterpillars and other larvae as well as a small amount of fruits and nuts such as wild grapes, dogwood berries, cherries, and acorns. Spring. Wendell, MA. USA. Wild.