Besides carpenter ants, what wild fruit is the Pileated Woodpecker known to consume?
Answer
Poison ivy fruit
While the primary dietary driver for the Pileated Woodpecker involves large insects like carpenter ants and termites, their foraging flexibility extends to incorporating plant matter when necessary or available. Specifically, the text highlights that these large woodpeckers are known to consume wild fruits. Among these, the fruit produced by poison ivy is explicitly mentioned as part of their intake. This demonstrates a notable level of dietary tolerance, as many other bird species might avoid fruits containing compounds that could be considered toxic or difficult to digest, showcasing the Pileated's robust digestive capabilities.
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