The Jackhammers of timber. Boy, can these guys do some serious damage to a dead tree or . . . wood siding. Yikes. Something I learned about Pileated Woodpeckers - all Woodpeckers, actually, is they use their tail feathers to brace themselves when pecking. The quills of these feathers are extremely stiff and serve as excellent support. Something laughing at you in the woods? Undoubtedly a Pileated. Party animals, they are.