I say PIL-le-ated. You say PIE-le-ated.

It comes up in the store all the time.  How do you say the name of our largest (regularly occurring) woodpecker?

Is it  PIE-lee-ay-tid or is it PILL-ee-ay-tid?

This is an easy one - it's either!!!  I went to two top sources for the answer.  First, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  Here's what an article on their site had to say:

"PILEATED  (Woodpecker) - PIE-lee-ay-tid, PILL-ee-ay-tid  (having a pileus or cap)...If it bothers you when people say it differently than you do, lighten up. They're just birds, for goodness sakes, and THEY don't care what you call them."

Next, Merriam-Webster Online dictionary.  They even have two audio pronunciations of pileated.  Make sure you click both speaker icons when you get to their site.

By the way, I say PIL-eated.  How about you? 

Comments

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Lindsey, Wren, Margaret - what an interesting conversation this started. All good reasons behind the "why", and kinda nice that EVERYBODY'S right!

[Margaret]

I've always said Pie-leated, but that's only because I think it would be spelled Pilleated if you were to pronounce it Pil-eated. Whew! I don't think it's addressed in Strunk and White, so I suppose it's really a personal preference.

[Wren]

I say PIE-lee-ay-tid because of the phonetics and the base pileus, which is pronounced pie-lee-us. I always wondered which was correct, but to tell you the truth, I don't really care which way it is pronounced; it's quite an impressive bird!

[Lindsey D.]

I say PILL-eated as well...I'm pretty sure I learned that pronunciation from a Scotsman. I'm glad that someone else around here says it that way, PIE-leated seems very common up here in Glens Falls/Queensbury, locals enjoy trying to 'correct' me haha.

The Dr. Language article makes me laugh so hard every single time.

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

LNMP - One of a lot of people's favorites. Just saw one two days ago - first all summer in my yard.

[LNMP]

One of my favorite birds: PIE-lee-ay-tid Woodpecker. It doesn't matter to me how other people pronounce it!