Pileated Woodpecker
Female Pileated Woodpecker
This female Pileated Woodpecker photo was taken 2/14/2010 at the Dawes Arboretum in Licking Co, Ohio. I have seen them all my life here however it seems like there numbers have dwindled over the years. Since i have been an avid bird photographer i have searched to photographed one of these beauties with no avail. Today i hit paydirt and was greeted at the arboretum by this beautiful female.
A little about Pileated Woodpeckers
Information Courtest Of http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org
The pileated (meaning “crested”) woodpecker is the largest woodpecker living in Ohio today. Although they are large, they are seldom seen.
It can be identified by its size as well as its large red crest and black and white body. The strong bill is used in making nesting cavities and locating wood-boring insects for food. Their extremely strong bill works quickly, taking 1/1000 of a second for each stroke.
The pileated woodpecker was the model for the cartoon character, Woody Woodpecker.
History
Pre-Settlement
The remains of pileated woodpeckers have been found in a number of archaeological sites in Ohio. Their brilliant red crests were used by American Indians to decorate calumets (pipes).
Settlement
Like other woodland species, pileated woodpecker populations declined throughout Ohio as early settlers cleared the forests to make way for farmlands. The deforestation took away trees which provided food and nesting sources.
19th Century
The growing need for open land, free of forests, caused the extermination of pileateds in many areas of Ohio by 1900. During the 1800s, the pileated woodpecker was considered by some a game species and was even sold in city markets for food.
20th Century
By the turn of the century, very small numbers of pileateds could be found in eastern Ohio. It was not until the 1920s, when abandoned farms in southeastern Ohio reverted to woodlands, did populations improve. They increased and expanded in the 1940s and 50s. By the 1960s they had recovered in most of their former range.
4 Responses to “Pileated Woodpecker”
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About Me
My name is Alan Smith and currently live in the beautiful state of Ohio, Having been Born and raised here has armed me with the knowledge of the many landscapes, swamps and woodland forest that many critters call home. Many places I trek in search of subjects to photograph are the same areas I explored when I was very young.
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Hi, Alan:
Thanks for the interesting article and photo on the Pileated Woodpecker. I lived in Cuyahoga Falls for ten years. While in Ohio, my aunt and Uncle were building their dreamhouse in Dublin, Ohio. Their construction was interupted for several weeks by a family of pileated woodpeckers that really liked their wood siding. I went to college in Athens and set up a trailer site along Margurete Creek. We had a Pileated Nest in an old tree back up the creek. My son was six and loved sneaking up there and observing. I have a 7 minute pileated nest video on YouTube. Do a search for 2009 Pileated Woodpecker Nest. As Ever, Orin
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Hi Orin
Your comments are appreciated Sir, I found your video very informative and interesting. I am in search of this pairs nest so i can photograph them further, at this point i have not located them.
I have added a link to your video, if you don’t mind, I thought others might find it of interest.
Watch Orins Video
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I have seen one in my front yard
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A pair with at least one female offspring sighted near Medina, OH in May 2010. Shot some video post on Youttube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUZo71UCyX8&feature=related
Was back at the same place a month later but guests with children at the home they visiting spooked them off and they had not been back as often since. I had hoped to get some more shots; will try again possibly in the fall.
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