Pileated Woodpeckers drill out nest holes in large tree trunks.

Their drum is slow and powerful, accelerates, and then trails off, not more than two times a minute. Therefore, Pileated Woodpeckers provide an important source of biodiversity to the state’s ecosystem and also act as indicators for healthy woodlands. These birds have been known to thrive in Pennsylvania’s forests, especially throughout The northwestern part of the state. Pileated Woodpeckers fly in fairly straight lines, unlike other woodpecker species, who fly in undulating lines. White under-wing and white wing patches are easily seen in flight. It’s almost the size of a crow with an all-black body with white stripes down a long neck and a bright red crest on the back of their heads and strong bills. The largest woodpeckers in Pennsylvania are the Pileated. Scientific Name: Dryocopus pileatus Size: 16.5 inches Description And Field Marks any species of woodpecker.įor other types of birds in Pennsylvania see our articles on Backyard Birds in Pennsylvania, Owls in Pennsylvania, Ducks in Pennsylvania, and Hawks in Pennsylvania. Woodpeckers are interesting creatures and provide a beautiful sound when pecking.Īll woodpeckers are protected by the federal migratory bird treaty act which makes it unlawful to kill, harm, hunt, etc. Others see them as good as they eat insects and by doing so keep the insect population in check. Some people see woodpeckers as a nuisance since they can cause damage to buildings and houses, especially cedar siding. This resource is a guide to identifying and learning more about these birds in detail or finding out which kind lives near you in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Woodpeckers can be found in a variety of places, including suburban backyards, and are abundant in the numerous Pennsylvania forests. Well others like the pileated woodpecker are seen mostly in the northern part of the state Some are common woodpeckers and are seen throughout Pennsylvania including the Hairy Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Red headed Woodpecker. They range from the smallest woodpecker, the Downy, to the largest Woodpecker, the Pileated.

There are 7 different species of woodpeckers in Pennsylvania.

Downy woodpecker call