As spring migration winds down and breeding season continues, many birds will grace the fields and forests of Crawford County. There is one bird in particular that captivates the hearts and minds of outdoors enthusiasts -- the pileated woodpecker. On Saturday, May 9, during a bird banding program by the Crawford Park District, a female pileated woodpecker was caught and banded at Lowe-Volk Park. As bander Bob Placier and park naturalist Josh Dyer retrieved the bird from the mist net, it was evident that two sets of hands were needed to handle this majestic 15-inch bird.
Pileated woodpeckers inhabit most forests east of the Mississippi, with populations also in the Northwest states. In Ohio, pileated woodpeckers range all over the state. They require about 200 acres of territory per pair. Within their territory, mature forests are needed with an abundance of large, dead trees for which they use as nesting sites and food. Their diet consists largely of carpenter ants.
While not the most common woodpecker in Crawford County, pileated woodpeckers do occur. Due to their large territory, a bird seen in one woodlot could be the same bird seen in a neighboring woodlot. Listen for a loud and almost stuttering kik-kik-kik-kikkik, and one can be sure a pileated woodpecker is near by. Look for a large black, crow-sized bird with a flaming red crest and white underwings, seen only in flight. They also leave a large oval or oblong hole as evidence of their presence.
As for the female pileated woodpecker caught on May 9, she had a brood patch that identified her as a nesting mother. She was banded and released, but not before she used her large, chisel-like beak to peck a couple hands. Ouch!
In Sears Woods, Lowe-Volk Park, and Heckert Nature Preserve, watch for the red crest and undulating flight of one the most prehistoric-looking animals in Crawford County, the pileated woodpecker.
For information of other park district programs, contact the Crawford Park District office at 419-683-9000 or visit the website at www.crawford parkdistrict.org.
