6 January 2025
When you reside in southwestern Pennsylvania you most likely suppose red-headed woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) are uncommon birds as did I till I recorded one yesterday at North Park and eBird didn’t flag it. Yesterday’s red-headed woodpecker was the second I’ve seen in per week. The primary was in Schenley Park in the course of the Pittsburgh Christmas Chook Depend on 28 December.
The North Park chicken is an all-winter customer, hanging out with one or two others on the Elwood Shelter (40.5876006, -79.9854305) since early November 2024. It posed for Justin Kolakowski in late December.
The Schenley Park woodpecker was a One Day Marvel discovered by Mark VanderVen. I tracked it down once I heard his rattle name, much like this recording of two birds interacting.
Pink-headed woodpeckers are nonetheless uncommon sufficient in Pennsylvania to draw a small crowd, notably after they had been labeled “in decline” throughout Pennsylvania’s Second Breeding Chook Atlas (2004-2009) as a result of their block protection dropped 46% for the reason that First Atlas (1983-1989).
However you don’t need to go far to see one in the course of the breeding season. Simply cross the Ohio border and preserve heading west. The pair proven at prime was photographed at Sheldon Marsh in Huron County, Ohio.
Pink-headed woodpeckers are in reality rising as their breeding inhabitants strikes west. Their stronghold now could be within the Nice Plains. They’re far much less uncommon than we predict.
