![]() ![]() The largest woodpecker in Illinois is the pileated, and it is an impressive sight, with its bright red crest on its head. ![]() RELATED READING: WOODPECKERS, THE BIRDS OF ALL SEASONSĪt McKinley Woods and Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, the most commonly seen and heard woodpeckers are the downy and the red-bellied woodpeckers, said interpretive naturalist Kelli Parke. The same is true at Plum Creek Nature Center, where these woodpeckers also visit the bird feeders, and elsewhere throughout the preserves. The others are less commonly seen, particularly the pileated woodpecker, but they leave visual proof that they are living in the forest.įor the most part, the bigger the woodpecker, the bigger the hole it makes. Most of these are year-round residents of northern Illinois and breed here, although the yellow-bellied sapsucker is only in our area in the spring and fall during its migrations between the southern United States and Mexico. Quite the opposite, in fact. Illinois is home to seven different woodpecker species: the downy, hairy, red-bellied, red-headed and pileated woodpeckers, the northern flicker and the yellow-bellied sapsucker. That's not to say you won't see a woodpecker this winter. In early spring, woodpeckers will begin ramping up the noise making all in the name of finding a mate. This quick, rhythmic pecking, called drumming, is often heard in spring, the Fish and Wildlife Service reports. Spring is also breeding season for woodpeckers, so they are often seen making nesting and roosting holes, according to Wildlife Illinois. ![]() Fish and Wildlife Service.Īt this time of year, when the trees are bare, woodpecker holes are more visible. These birds drill for three reasons: to make holes for nesting and roosting to look for food and to communicate with other birds, whether to mark their territory or attract a mate, according to the U.S. Woodpeckers are nature's carpenters, drilling on and into trees with their sharp bills. Others have clear signs that they were created by wildlife, often insects and birds - particularly woodpeckers. Some holes are hollows, which naturally form as the tree grows. One participant even marked different lengths on his peanut feeder.Stumbling across a tree with a distinct hole in it can beg the question of where it came from. Some participants have measured their feeders to help them judge size. Size is a reliable field mark, but it can be difficult to judge in the field. Furthermore, although Downys never have completely white outer tail feathers underneath, some Hairy Woodpeckers have the barring, so seeing bars does not necessarily mean you have a Downy. Sometimes black barring shows on the outer side of these feathers, but not always, and it can be difficult to see the underside of the feathers. If you can see the under side of the outer tail feathers, and they are completely white, then you can be certain that you have a Hairy Woodpecker.
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