Help, please! - Black Bird with Large White Half Moons on Wings (1 Viewer)

[SuzanneLL]

Hi,

I just joined the forum because I saw a large black bird with white on the top of its wings when in flight & I can't figure out what it is.

I thought it would be fun to keep this thread going even longer!

Are the white markings what people are calling "half moon"? (See photos; also notice size of bird compared to leaves on trees & maybe white on its neck)

This bird was very fast and agile. I shot a video, but couldn't keep up with it.

It was seen in woodlands a few miles from a lake in eastern Pennsylvania.

It was on the ground when I surprised it as I was doing a video of another bird.

At first I thought it was a pileated woodpecker, but the markings are wrong.

Any ideas?

 

[KC Foggin]

Hi,

I just joined the forum because I saw a large black bird with white on the top of its wings when in flight & I can't figure out what it is.

I thought it would be fun to keep this thread going even longer!

Are the white markings what people are calling "half moon"? (See photos; also notice size of bird compared to leaves on trees & maybe white on its neck)

This bird was very fast and agile. I shot a video, but couldn't keep up with it.
View attachment 1447952View attachment 1447953View attachment 1447954
It was seen in woodlands a few miles from a lake in eastern Pennsylvania.

It was on the ground when I surprised it as I was doing a video of another bird.

At first I thought it was a pileated woodpecker, but the markings are wrong.

Any ideas?

Sorry I can’t work it out but I did want to wish you a warm welcome From those of us on staff here at BirdForum . Please join in wherever you like 👍

 

[KC Foggin]

I’ve moved your posts to your own thread to the
I D section of the Forum. 😊

 

[SuzanneLL]

I’ve moved your posts to your own thread to the
I D section of the Forum. 😊

Thanks!
I haven't explored the forum enough to know that would be a more appropriate place for the post.
: )

 

[Ratal]

Pileated Woodpecker

 

[Ratal]

A pic from a pinterest page I follow. Not my pic.

 

[Ratal]

Pileated Woodpecker in Flight (David Mintz, photographer), Sonnet #273

They say his lost cousin, ivory-billed, Once chopped down a sycamore and when locked In a cabin with a bobcat, he kille...

christopherguerin.blogspot.com

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum. I hope you enjoy your visits.

 

[Butty]

Pileated Woodpecker in Flight (David Mintz, photographer), Sonnet #273

They say his lost cousin, ivory-billed, Once chopped down a sycamore and when locked In a cabin with a bobcat, he kille...

christopherguerin.blogspot.com

This shows the underwing, and thus is a pattern completely different from that (the upperwing) described and photographed by the OP.

 

[delia todd]

Hi Suzanne and a warm welcome from me too.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I hope to hear about all the birds you see when out and about.

 

[nartreb]

Pileated woodpecker, no question about it.
1) "large black bird with white wing markings, in Pennsylvania woods" leaves very few options. The photos and description allow us to infer some flight patterns that make most of the options very unlikely - e.g., an immature bald eagle isn't going to be described as "very fast and agile".
2) First photo shows wing pattern that is absolutely diagnostic.
3) You can make out the unusual head shape in the last photo.

 

[SuzanneLL]

Thanks for your welcomes & help identifying the bird.

I felt like it had to be a pileated woodpecker, but I don't usually see the top of their wings when flying, and these photos show more white than what I see in my books & in online photos.

I'm glad I was unsure & did some online searches, because it enabled me to find this forum, which I think I'll really enjoy!

 

[SuzanneLL]

This is what I'm used to seeing from the pileated woodpecker.

 

[Ratal]

The bird is a stunner for sure!!!

 

[KC Foggin]

With all the pileated woodpecker’s I see I am amazed that I could not figure this one out.

 

[SuzanneLL]

Well, it makes me feel better that you didn't figure it out!
; )

 

[Ratal]

Red crest and white on face and neck. See the pic below for a comparison. The hunched shoulders, red crest, black and white. Location.

It is still a Pileated Woodpecker.

 

[pianoman]

Ratal's link in post #7 made me look twice, it appears to be a topside view of the bird, yet against a background of sky. Just an unusual angle I guess.

 

[nartreb]

Ratal's link in post #7 made me look twice, it appears to be a topside view of the bird, yet against a background of sky. Just an unusual angle I guess.

As Butty pointed out in post #9, that photo shows the underside of the bird, which has a rather different color pattern from the topside. Also note the visible feet...

It is an unusual photo, in that the head is twisted down for some reason. Perhaps the bird wanted to keep an eye on the photographer?

 

[Ratal]

This is your bird. Big moons on wings.