Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus Pileatus) Brenda S

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Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) Brenda S. Keith

Livingston Co., MI 6/14/2009 © Jim Ridley This species sponsored by John Baumgartner and also by Todd Alfes, Sandy Roethler, & Scott (Click to view a comparison of Atlas I to II) The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest increase in the population, especially in the SLP. woodpecker found in Michigan and probably all of North America (the possibly extinct Ivory- The MBBA I habitat survey shows that Pileated billed Woodpecker is larger). A crow-sized bird Woodpeckers prefer mesic mixed or deciduous with a loud flicker-like call and distinctive forests close to a water source. Pileated drumming, it is often heard before it is seen. Woodpeckers prefer large tracts of mixed Sighting of this magnificent bird with its black coniferous-deciduous mature forest – 100 acres body, large white patches on the underwing and or more. In recent years many sightings have red crest has left a lasting impression on many a shown that the species will establish territories birder. The Pileated Woodpecker is a in smaller – 10 to 30 acre woodlots, suburban permanent resident across southern Canada, the parks and old cemeteries, wherever large Midwest, and the East, and along the Pacific diameter live or standing dead trees are Coast and the northern Rockies (Bull and available. These trees are important for the Jackson 1995). large nest cavities that the Pileated Woodpecker

excavates. They are also dependent on other Distribution trees where they search for ants, grubs and Once considered to be abundant throughout beetles. Michigan, the Pileated Woodpecker population experienced a sharp decline during the mid- Breeding Biology 1880’s due to wide spread deforestation. The Pairs remain on territory year-round although status in 1893 was “very rare” (Brewer 1991). they may wander while looking for food during They were also shot for food and for sport the winter. Courtship begins in February and during the early 20th century. Some Native lasts through March with nest building taking Americans hunted them for a variety of reasons place in April to May. Both sexes excavate the (Bull and Jackson 1995). MBBA I results nest hole with the male doing most of the work. showed the population was increasing, Egg-laying begins once the cavity is complete especially in the UP, NLP and the west side of and typically four white eggs are laid with an the SLP. Very few encounters were made on incubation period of 14 to 18 days. Incubation the east side of the SLP due to intense is shared by both adults during the day and development of that area (Ebbers 1991). The solely by the male at night (Bull and Jackson results from MBBA II showed an even greater

1995). The young fledge in June to mid-July Aubrey, K., and C. Raley. 2002. The Pileated and remain with the adults until fall. Woodpecker as a keystone species: USDA Forest Service Gen Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR- Abundance and Population Trends 181. . There was a significant increase in the Brewer, R. 1991. Original Avifauna and percentage of townships where Pileated Postsettlement Changes. In Brewer, R., G.A. Woodpeckers were found during MBBA II McPeek, and R.J. Adams, Jr., eds. The Atlas compared to the data from MBBA I. In the UP, of Breeding Birds of Michigan. Michigan 71 % of the townships reported encounters in State University Press, East Lansing, MBBA II compared to 55% in MBBA I. The Michigan, USA. SLP shows the largest increase with 35% of the Bull, E.L. and J. A. Jackson. 1995. In The Birds townships reporting sightings versus only 12% of North America, No. 148. (Poole, A. and during MBBA I. Likely these increases are due F. Gill, eds.) The Birds of North America, to maturation of woodlots and where forests Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. have reclaimed abandoned farmlands. Ebbers, B.C. 1991. Pileated Woodpecker. In Brewer, R., G.A. McPeek, and R.J. Adams, BBS trends for the Upper Midwest (USFWS Jr., eds. The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Region 3) show a steady increase, with Michigan. Michigan State University Press, estimates from 1983-2007 showing an increase East Lansing, Michigan, USA. of 3.89% throughout the Midwest and a 5.96% Matthews, S.N., L.R. Iverson, A.M. Prasad, increase in Michigan’s population. A.M., and M.P. Peters. 2007. A Climate Change Atlas for 147 Bird Species of the Conservation Needs Eastern United States (database). Northern This large woodpecker plays an important role Research Station, USDA Forest Service, in controlling many damaging tree insects, Delaware, Ohio. . suggested that the Pileated Woodpecker serves Young, D. 2003. Dryocopus pileatus (on-line), as a keystone species because its large nest Animal Diversity Web at . heartwood enable other birds to find invertebrate prey that would not have been Suggested Citation available to them (Aubrey and Raley 2002). As long as forest managers and private land owners Keith, B.S. 2011. Pileated Woodpecker leave a percentage of large diameter trees, this (Dryocopus pileatus). In Chartier, A.T., J.J. species should be able to maintain its population Baldy, and J.M. Brenneman (eds.). 2010- and be around for many more generations to 2011. The Second Michigan Breeding Bird enjoy. Atlas. Kalamazoo Nature Center. Climate change models for this species show a Kalamazoo, MI. Accessed online at: possible increase in the population for all of the . 2007).

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