Posted by Lynda Mumford on October 2, 2008

Q: We have had the luck to see a pileated woodpecker this summer. Twice at our camp in the Adirondack woods and just last night on a tree outside our house in a residential area of a small city. We read about them in the field guide, but we would like to know if they migrate and how plentiful they are in the northeast USA. Thanks.

State: New York

A: The Pileated Woodpecker is certainly an impressive bird and usually leaves a vivid image on those fortunate enough to see them. This bird does not migrate but remains on its territory throughout the year. Since it feeds on insects that are under the bark or in the wood of trees, it is able to find enough food (dormant insects mostly), even in winter, to sustain itself. The range of these big woodpeckers is rather large so seeing one at a given place on one day doesn't mean you'll see it again soon even though it may be in the area. I have Pileated Woodpeckers that visit my own property of 5 acres from time to time but I do not see them often.

The Pileated Woodpecker is a bird of mature forests so when many of the larger trees were removed in New York, or wherever, in the past, this bird was eliminated from that habitat. As the forests in the Northeast have regrown and trees are once again reaching mature status, this woodpecker has increased in numbers and is seen much more often.

Thanks for asking.

John Wiessinger ( October 3, 2008)