The pileated woodpecker, described as a tireless woodworker that evokes pride, has been chosen at the emblematic bird of Gatineau, Que. The City of Gatineau announced Tuesday afternoon that residents voted to have the great woodpecker named the official bird of the city in western Quebec. According to the city, the pileated woodpecker is a “tireless woodworker,” and “evokes pride through its majestic appearance, natural presence, and resilience.” “The Pileated Woodpecker plays an important role in maintaining local biodiversity, as the cavities it excavates are essential for several other animal species that rely on them for nesting,” the city said in a media release. “It resides year-round in our forests and parks. Large trees and stumps provide it with nesting and roosting sites, as well as a source of food.” In May, residents were invited to pick the city’s official bird from five bird species. More than 4,100 people voted for the emblematic bird. The other species were the Wood Duck, The Cedar Waxwing, The Belt Kingfisher, and the White-breasted Nuthatch. The city said the five birds under consideration were chosen based on being native to the area, easy to recognize and having an ecological role and value to the city. The selection of an emblematic bird is part of Gatineau’s efforts to obtain a “Bird-Friendly City” certification.
