Pileated Woodpecker (Peter Armstrong)

Pileated Woodpecker (Peter Armstrong)

Hello,

                Yesterday we had the largest woodpecker, the Pileated, and the smallest, the Downy, together at our bird feeders. The size difference is amazing. We have six types of woodpeckers visit our yard throughout the year: Downy , Hairy, Red-bellied , Northern Flicker , Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Pileated.  I imagine these populations might rise if we lose our ashes to the Emerald Ash Borer?
Downy Woodpecker  (Karl Egressy)

Downy Woodpecker (Karl Egressy)

Blair Hamilton, Pigeon Lake

Emerald Ash Borer larva

Emerald Ash Borer larva

(Note: Yes, there’s a strong possibility that populations will rise. A recent study demonstrated that this has already been seen in the Detroit area. Apparently, Emerald Ash Borer larvae are quite to the liking of woodpeckers. For a number of years, the larvae also be abundant. When all of the ashes die, however, the EAB population will plummet.  D.M.)

Categories: Sightings

Drew Monkman

I am a retired teacher, naturalist and writer with a love for all aspects of the natural world, especially as they relate to seasonal change.