From David Lytwynec

Today I learned that Pileated Woodpeckers, while hunting for insects, will place an ear next to the surface of a tree, listening for insects moving under the bark.

It's not a great picture, but it does document what I observed.

Ellicott City, 10/17/2026.

I didn't know this either. I thought they just looked for likely spots and did some trial and error.

Here is a good article about the ways they listen and locate their prey if you'd like some more details.