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lonelywretchjervistetch · 3 months ago

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The State Birds Initiative: Pennsylvania (#2)

Welcome to the second official poll of the State Birds Initiative! Before the poll, though, one thing real quick. My suggestion is that you read the post below before voting in the poll below. That's especially important if you're lacking any context about the birds being presented as the new (or old) State Bird of the Keystone State, Pennsylvania. This is to be fully informed as to why these are being presented, and to make your choices appropriately. Lastly, some of these birds, you will notice, may go against some of the rules listed in the introduction post. All is explained after the jump where the explanations are, I promise you that. But with that...OK! Here's the poll! More choices this time, but that's definitely a bit deceptive. Trust me, read the stuff after the jump, you'll see why.

LET'S GO PHILLY

Kidding on two fronts. One, not a massive sports fan, and not really a fan of any Philadelphia teams (I love Gritty, though. Always and forever.). And two, this is obviously not a post about Philadelphia. So, let's talk about the Quaker State, Pennsylvania! The capital is Harrisburg, while its biggest city is Philadelphia. Pennsylvania is, of course, the first capital of these United States, and arguably the seat of the country. It's the home of Benjamin Franklin (even though it wasn't his birthplace), the Liberty Bell, the Constitution, and Rocky Balboa. And of course, its perfect symbol: Gritty.

God, he's beautiful. The perfect mascot. Who cares about the Flyers; Gritty's who I'm rooting for. Anyway, amazing and unassailable symbols of chaos aside, we're here to talk about Pennsylvania's natural world. So, what are we looking at. Well, it's a mostly deciduous forest-dominated state, so we're looking at seasonal forests and probably seasonal birds...for the most part. At the very least, our ideal bird is a forest resident and breeder in the state. Nothing too unusual or difficult to find.

Birding in Pennsylvania is pretty stereotypical to that of the northeastern United States. There are a few major spots, especially those that graze the Appalachian Mountain Range, which runs through the state. As for conservation concern, habitats of focus are the Appalachian forests that are often deforested for development, especially in the areas near Philadelphia. No real surprise, but that's a good target for conservation focus.

As for Pennsylvania's culture, it's famously descendant of the Quakers, who founded the state under the leadership of William Penn. This isn't to say that Pennsylvanians are Quakers; if you've been to Philadelphia, you know that's not true. According to a few accounts I've seen, that essentially means there's an attitude of helpfulness to your neighbor within the state, as well as a cultivation of the value of hard work. It's also a state that prides its history pretty thoroughly, from Philadelphia's various museums and public historical monuments, to the historical communities that thrive in the state, like the Lancaster Amish. Not sure how either of those will translate themselves into birds, but...hey, we'll see, right?

I also saw somebody refer to PA as heavily into "snack culture". And I'm not entirely sure what that means, but I WILL take the opportunity to say one thing: do not waste money on the cheesesteaks at Pat's or Geno's. It's meant to attract tourists, and they aren't worth it, BELIEVE ME. There are better cheesesteaks in the city, from what I've heard, but those two are...not worth the money. Just trust me on this one.

That said, it's time to look for a proper state bird for Pennsylvania. There's some emphasis there on the "proper", and the first entry in the following section has an explanation by that. With that, let's go for it! State Bird nominations for Pennsylvania below the jump!

Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus)

OK, let's start with the current bird highlighted by Pennsylvania, the Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus). Now, I love these guys. If you've never experienced it, walking through the woods and suddenly hearing a deep thrumming echo through the trees is...it's a unique sensation. You wonder where it's coming from, why and how it's so loud, what's making it, and then...it just pops up. Maybe it sees you looking for it, and you flush it out and watch a panicking male run away. Maybe he just looks back at you puffed up and stands his ground a bit (which is unlikely, but still). Either way, these guys never cease to put a smile on my face.

This behavior is called drumming, by the way, as pictured above. A male grouse will position themselves on a hollow fallen tree, and use it as a megaphone to send out these vibrations across swathes of territory. It is, unsurprisingly, a territorial behavior for the grouse, and iconic in its own way. Now, a few more facts about the Ruffed Grouse. The name, by the way, comes from the feathers on the sides of the male's neck, which are erected during courtship and territorial displays. It's obviously colored to camouflage in the fallen leaves of deciduous forests, where it resides throughout the year. They're granivorous members of the Galliformes (grouse, pheasants, quail, etc.), and fairly common in the Eastern United States. But with that said...here's the big problem with this choice for State Bird.

It isn't a State Bird. It's a State Game Bird.

Yeah, remember the Delaware Blue Hen from the last poll (assuming you read it, here it is if you didn't)? I suggested that it should be the State Game Bird of Delaware, rather than the State Bird. Well, right next door to Delaware, Pennsylvania already has a State Game Bird in the form of the Ruffed Grouse. Why, you ask? Well, first off, the Ruffed Grouse is actuall known as the "King of the Gamebirds" colloquially, crowned such by William Harnden Foster, the father of skeet shooting. Yes, actually. But anyway, the bird was declared the State Game Bird in 1931, but there was not real reason why outside of popularity with hunters. So...OK, fair enough. It just means that the Ruffed Grouse is not a State Bird. But should it be?

The question asked here is, should the Ruffed Grouse be promoted to a State Bird, since most Pennsylvanians seem to think of it as such anyway? Well, looking at the guidelines we've previously set and established...I don't know, honestly. And my main reason for doubt, personally, is the fact that the grouse, while found in Pennsylvania, is BARELY a breeder in the state. Only 0.4% of the bird's overall breeding population is in Pennsylvania, and only 13% is in the United States at all. And yes, that means the species is mostly found in...

So, when you think about it, is this truly the answer to the PA State Bird question? Well, it does represent much of the biome of Pennsylvania, a forest-dominated state squarely in the temperate and deciduous zone. It has a history and culture of hunting, and the grouse is certainly one of the most popular species on that front. And they're certainly iconic, and easy to hear in most forests, not to mention fun to look and listen for for beginning birders. The first time I stumbled on a Ruffed Grouse was, lemme tell you, a delight. And the second time, I LITERALLY stumbled on them, because a mother and her chicks were running away from me, and one of the chicks ran between my feet from behind me to join its mother, and I have NEVER BEFORE FELT MORE LIKE A DISNEY PRINCESS UNTIL THAT MOMENT IT WAS FUCKING MAGICAL

But, yeah, with that said, I submit the Ruffed Grouse for your deliberation as a State Bird. And as for a State Game Bird...oh, I've got a thought on that one, too. But I'll save that until the end, I think.

Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivaceus)

So, as before, let's start the replacement options with a bird suggested by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and a solid-ass pick for a number of reasons. The Scarlet Tanager is one of the most striking birds in the eastern United States, and there's no state with a larger breeding population of these birds than Pennsylvania. 13% of the species' global breeding population is found in PA, making the state a major staging point for the species. Native to and dependent upon the deciduous forests of the state, this is a hidden ornithological icon.

Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)

Well, if I had the Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) listed for Delaware, it only makes sense to list the Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) for Pennsylvania! Similarly, it's the only species that have Pennsylvania as a state in the species name. And trust me, this is a rare luxury, either because most states have no bird species named for them, or a LOT of bird species named for them. Just wait for the Carolinas or California, believe me. But that said, is the Chestnut-sided Warbler a good fit for Pennsylvania?

Well, it certainly breeds in the state; the majority of the global population breeds in Canada, like the Ruffed Grouse, but a good amount still breeds in the deciduous temperate forests of the USA. The PA breeding population represents 3% of the global breeding population, and as compared to Michigan's 7%, Pennsylvania still doesn't have the majority. But again, let's put that statistic to the wayside. Is there anything else about the Chestnut-sided Warbler that represents Pennsylvania in a meaningful way? Well...no. Not, not really. There is a story of John James Audubon (yes, that Audubon, the racist one), and his first AND ONLY sighting of the Chestnut-sided Warbler, which took place in eastern Pennsylvania, alongside his hunt for the species throughout his life. So, hey, there's a tie. But other than that, this is another opportunity to choose an handsome looking bird that serves as a unique bird to look for for Pennsylvanians, any of whom can say, "Hey, I've seen that bird! Cool!"

...Wait, I just realized something about this category of choice. Pennsylvania has more species name reputation than I thought...indirectly. Hmm. Let's combine their entries.

Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus) Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia)

There are, in total, three species that are named after the great city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. And this is both the only one with the city name in its common name...and also the worst choice of the three. At least the Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) and the Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia) breed in the state. And for the record, those are up for debate for this spot if anybody world prefer those go in there. But if those are better options (barely; both birds also barely breed in Pennsylvania), then why choose the Philadelphia Vireo?

Is it iconic? To birdwatchers, maybe, but mostly because it's a pretty difficult bird to get when you're starting out. I've seen them, but it's not easy to find them. And to the layman? It's a little green bird that lives in green trees. Oof. Hard sell for a state bird. At least Bonaparte's Gull (above) is visible on bodies of water, and a fairly common bird alongside being an unusual-looking gull for most people. Plus, hey, they're kinda handsome and cute in my opinion. What about the Mourning Warbler (below)? While also somewhat difficult to find by virtue of being a little green bird, has a notable and memorable appearance. But you could also argue that it belongs rightly to other states instead.

But the Philadelphia Vireo? Yeah, it's the worst candidate of the three, but...it's also the only warbler who once carried the name Brotherly-Love Vireo. Yeah. As in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love? That is a good reason. However, you could argue that, given the fact that the work "philadelphia" is literally Greek for "brotherly love"...it's still a flimsy argument. But hey, I'd be remiss if I didn't include these guys on this list for State Bird, even if I...doubt they're gonna get any votes.

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)

For one of two conservation-related entries of this post, let's take a look at the Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus). Now, to get this out of the way, the Pileated Woodpecker is all over the Eastern USA. These big, crow-sized woodpeckers (and these guys are HUGE when you see them for the first time; love 'em) are a common sight in deciduous and coniferous forests (the predominant habitat in PA), and are most certainly breeders in Pennsylvania. They're iconic enough, fun to find, and can be detected through signs they leave in trees. Namely, of course, I'm referring to the nest hollows they make in trees for their offspring, as well as holes made to search for insects. But, OK, same question as always, why suggest it for the PA State Bird?

The pileated woodpecker, as the big bird it is, is an ecosystem modeler. What this means is, those holes they carve in trees are used by other species, including owls, squirrels, weasels, ducks, and various others that live in the same areas. Pennsylvania's wildlife isn't above using Pileated Woodpecker holes for their own uses, making the birds extremely important for other species. Ecosystem architects are not uncommon in nature. Most of your probably think of the American Beaver (Castor canadensis) or the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) when that topic comes up, but there are many others. In ecology, there's a term for species that modify their environments in ways that become significant for the survival of other species. Because other species rely on them, they're referred to as keystone species.

Get it?

Pennsylvania is also known as the Keystone State. And, like beavers and alligators before them, woodpeckers are also keystone species. This isn't a commonly talked about aspect of woodpeckers, but the Pileated Woodpecker in particular is getting some recent attention as a keystone species. So, why not highlight this recently proposed classification and give the Keystone State a Keystone Species for its State Bird? It serves as a lesson in ecology for everyone, school kids or the uninformed, and it's a great way to make the State Bird about Pennsylvania's ecosystems. Conservation-focused, and an iconic species to boot!

Do I think the Pileated Woodpecker is the best species for Pennsylvania on it's own merits? I don't know, honestly. Like I said before, it's a fun-to-find iconic bird, it breeds in the state, and there's not real reason it shouldn't be the state bird. But I really like the idea of giving the Keystone State a keystone species, and not a lot of North American birds act in that role. If anybody has a better suggestion, I am all ears, but I think this one works pretty well. Plus, hey, there's only one woodpecker amongst the State Birds, which is a shame! Who doesn't love woodpeckers?

American Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus)

For the other conservation entry of this list, we once again turn to a raptor, and a damned cool one at that. Previously referred to as the northern goshawk, the American Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is a silent and efficient predator. One of the most skilled forest flyers amongst the accipiter hawks, these birds specialize in rodents and birds that live in the trees, and are amazing at weaving through the understory to catch their prey. I adore goshawks, and they're honestly a bit terrifying. I used to work at a raptor rehabilitation facility which bred these guys in central New York, and they're beautiful and terrifying. Also, I've held one in a towel burrito, and that was a highlight of my life.

Now, with that said, the goshawk is barely found in Pennsylvania in recent years, although it used to be quite common. The Fish and Game Department, alongside Audubon, have this as a species of major concern and focus in Pennsylvania, despite (for because of) a very small breeding population. But there's a sad reason for this, making this a VERY good candidate for State Bird. See, in the 1900s, goshawks were considered pests, due to their love of chicken and wild game birds. Therefore, they were regularly shot, and Pennsylvania in particular offered rewards for their bodies.

By 1931, goshawk populations in Pennsylvania plummeted. This was also when the early 20th century environmentalist movements started, and this issue in particular was noticed by environmentalist and suffragette Rosalie Edge. To save hawk populations in Pennsylvania, she purchased a piece of land to bar the hawk-hunters on the property. This was called Hawk Mountain, and was founded in 1934 as the world's first raptor preserve. Yeah. Not only was it the first of these, but one of the first (if not THE first) created by a woman. Let's fucking go. Rosalie was a known bad-ass in conservation, and regularly did shit like this for what she believed in. An unsung hero of conservation and ornithology.

The hawk hunts ended alongside the Pennsylvania Game Commission in the 1950s, and raptor conservation continued on as a major movement in the state of Pennsylvania. Hawk Mountain in particular became a massive centerpoint of this, and today, it's maybe the most famous place in the United States to watch the annual fall and spring migrations of raptors. The raptor counts at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary are an annual bonanza, attracting birders from near and far. Haven't made it there yet myself, but it's on my list of must-bird locations. I implore you to learn more about this wonderful place. Check out their YouTube channel if you want to know more from their perspective! And it's all based on the impressive conservation story of the American Goshawk. I think that makes it a pretty goddamn good candidate for State Bird. Brings attention to conservation history, and on a major natural phenomenon that can be seen every year in Pennsylvania. Pretty goddamn cool.

The hell is even left after that? Well...

Wild Turkey (Melagris gallopavo)

OK, hear me out here. Of ALL the birds in the USA, if there is any state should have more federal recognition, it's the Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). It's the only bird that essentially has a holiday dedicated to it (OK, dedicated to killing and eating it, but you get what I mean). It's also, notoriously, the alleged runner-up for national bird, having lost to the Bald Eagle (Halieetus leucocephalus). To be fair, here, that's a potential urban myth, but an important one regardless, especially to Pennsylvania.

Other than this, though, everybody knows what a Turkey looks like. It's arguably one of the top 5 iconic wild birds of the USA, and is very common throughout the country. It is, in fact, found in every one of the Lower 48, and in Hawaii (introduced there). Not Alaska, though. Which is good, because frozen turkey is dangerous. Ha ha ha. But is that an argument for Pennsylvanis to have it as the State Bird, or even as the State Game Bird? Because that's also an option, for the record. I argue, though, that Alabama, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and South Carolina already have it as a State Game Bird, which especially makes sense for Alabama, which is prime turkey-hunting ground. As is, for that matter, Pennsylvania. Turkey season here is longer than in most places, and according to HuntStand, it's basically a culture there in and of itself. So, yeah, appropriate on that front alone. But that said...Pennsylvania should own the turkey for one more important reason.

I mean...Benjamin Franklin. Come on. You gotta give it to Pennsylvania's favorite son. I've been to the Franklin Institute, I KNOW how beloved he is in PA. And Benjamin Franklin, famously, loved two things: wild sex parties with older women, and the Wild Turkey. AND I QUOTE:

For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. ...For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America… He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.”

Now, contrary to popular belief, this is not Franklin saying the Wild Turkey should be the national bird. This is, instead, Frankling saying that he fucking hates the Bald Eagle, whom he sees as a lazy, thieving, selfish, disrespectful, manipulative asshole. So, yeah, in retrospect, not an inappropriate symbol for some parts of the country. But regardless, he's right about turkeys: they do not give a shit about your boundaries if you're on their land. Trust me, I live in an area of New England where there are some BIG fuckin' turkeys, and they WILL CHASE YOU if you mess with them. I SEEN IT

With that, though, I think we've covered the major candidates for the State Bird of Pennsylvania. Any I've missed or forgotten? Any suggestions you may have? I'm all ears! Make sure to vote, and come back for state #3: New Jersey. Which...I think a lot of us have thoughts on. Although, hey...I don't hate the State Bird. Well, as a bird, anyway; I'm indifferent to it as NJ's bird. More context next time, I promise.

See you soon, and happy birding!

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lonelywretchjervistetch · 3 months ago

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The State Bird Initiative: Pennsylvania (#2) - Results

Poll #2 in the books! Cutting this one short, since I think we've got all we're gonna get from this one for now. But, it's still open for the next couple of days, if anybody sees this by then and hasn't voted. That said! I'm gonna call it for now and show you the results as they stand, as well as my personal choice, just like last time. So, what does a small group of Tumblr contributors think the State Bird of Pennsylvania should be?

A sincere apology to the Ruffed Grouse, but it looks like we have a new State Bird of Pennsylvania!

SBI Elected State Bird of Pennsylvania: Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

The popular choice for State Bird of Pennsylvania is the Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), and it's a pretty good choice in my opinion!

Somebody referred to this as a meme pick, and while it's possible the joke's on me here...I actually think this is a great choice for Pennsylvania. As I outlined in my original post, it's a favored bird of Benjamin Franklin, it's a popular bird for hunting and preservation in Pennsylvania already, and they're a major symbol of the country in general. Plus, Turkey Day in Pennsylvania will now take on a whole new meaning! That said, it's true that the distribution of the species is in nearly every state in the Union, but that actually makes the point more prominent. The Constitutional Capitol of the country has a State Bird found all over it! It works.

With that, I'll launch into my personal opinions for State Bird choices, but I will say: the Wild Turkey is the State Bird Initiative's personal choice for State Bird of Pennsylvania. Yeah, I agree with the masses on this one. So that's one down...but we're not done yet. But if you're satisfied with this, see you next time in the Garden State!

The State Birds Initiative Personal Pick - Pennsylvania (#2)

State Game Bird of Pennsylvania (SBI): Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus)

Y'know, I actually misspoke up there. The Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) hasn't been dethroned, because it was never the State Bird in the first place; it was the State Game Bird, and I say it should stay that way! The Ruffed Grouse is a great game bird for the state, even if it's not dependent on it for its breeding population, so why not leave it in this position. I do still love that sound of drumming in the woods, and more people should experience that. OK. Now that that's done, time for the next pick!

State Raptor of Pennsylvania (SBI): American Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus)

Man oh man, did I want the goshawk to win this one. But, instead, I'll settle for SBI's State Raptor. After all, the history of Hawk Mountain and conservation initiatives is dependent on this species. Now, that said, there is a point to be made: New York is a better fit here. Yeah, the American Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus) barely has a foothold in the state of Pennsylvania, which is sort of the point of its inclusion here. But, at the same time, New York has MUCH better candidates for State Raptor, so I think we can give Pennsylvania this one. If you're stumbling on this post before seeing the original poll, please check that out first for more context here. In the meantime, let's keep going! We have some more to throw onto the pile here.

SBI's Big Fifty - Pennsylvania: Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)

This one is...controversial. Of the previous choice presented, which bird is a notable find for birdwatchers within Pennsylvania? That's the logic for the Big Fifty list, but...this one isn't as cut-and-dry. Honestly, Pennsylvania isn't terribly unique when it comes to the NE USA in terms of bird diversity (sorry, Keystoners), so there aren't as many reliable and unique species to be found here as opposed to other states that haven't been mentioned (a la the American Goshawk up there). And the Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) isn't unique to PA, that's for sure. I've seen them in NY, NH, and MA, personally. Still, it's a cool bird to see wherever it pops up. But why this bird for the Big Fifty?

Well, the fact that it breeds in the state is a pretty big bonus. I realize that the Red Knot doesn't breed in Delaware, but it's a notable enough species to make this list for birdwatchers. Likewise, the Chestnut-sided Warbler is a BIG highlight for amateur birdwatchers, and a nice sight-to-see for experienced birders. And the other candidates? Well, turkey, grouse, and goshawk are taken by other categories. Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) and the Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia) are great, but are only included because of their species name, and barely breed in the state, making them an unreliable choice comparatively. And as much as I wanted to make this category the Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus), it doesn't breed in the state at all, making it the most poor candidate. So, Chestnut-sided is left standing. I am more than happy to take other suggestions for this category for PA, but that's the choice for the time being!

But wait...I forgot someone.

State Conservation Focus (SBI): Pileated Woodpecker (Dyrocopus pileatus)

...OK, hear me out. I was actually bummed that the Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) didn't get the trophy of State Bird of Pennsylvania. Sure, a huge part of that was the whole Keystone's keystone thing, but another part is the fact that the Pileated Woodpecker deserves more attention in this country. In fact woodpeckers deserve quite a bit of recognition, for a number of reasons. But in this instance, I think the Pileated Woodpecker should be a State Conservation Focus for Pennsylvania, to help promote conservation of Pennsylvania's forests and forest industry.

Now, there are two pieces of this to be discussed. First, we've got Pennsylvania's forest. Pennsylvania is both a bastion of conservation, as well as a bastion of historical deforestation. Originally, PA severely deforested the state forests in order to settle it. By the end of the 1800s, nearly two-thirds of the forests in PA were destroyed due to overharvesting, forest fires, and soil erosion, all anthropogenic in nature. The Department of Forestry described Pennsylvania as "a landscape of stumps and ashes. Charcoal was a major export for the state, which required the harvesting and burning of wood, and that involved clear-cutting. But with the trees disappearing, forestry moved west...and Pennsylvania was left empty.

But then, the environmental movements began in the USA in the 1900s. The Department of Forestry was created in 1895, and just over the years afterwards, replanting initiatives began. The Civilian Conservation Corps took over the state initiative to replant Pennsylvania's forests, and much of the state became reforested. Not all of it, of course; Pennsylvania still only has about half of the trees and forested acres that it started with, with mostly privately owned land, BUT...17 million acres ain't nothing to sneeze at. It's a conservation success story! And, uh...and yet...we're not done.

The problem now is that climate change, invasive species, and continuing development continue to endanger Pennsylvania's forests. The reasons are definitely different than they used to be. Deer have overpopulated, causing damage to the undergrowth, and allowing invasive species like Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimeneum) and others to take over. But oh-ho-HO...that's not the biggest problem facing PA's forests. Sure, logging still exists, and climate change is being made worse as a result, but there's an even bigger threat to the forests of PA, and the USA as a whole.

GAH!!! KILL IT! KILLITKILLITKILLITKILLITKILLIT!!!

The Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive species, a true bug (planthopper, to be specific) from China and Vietnam that's spread to multiple countries, including the United States. And the first state in which it was supported? Pennsylvania. Combined with another major invasive species, the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), Pennsylvania suffers $243.8 million in damages due to these guys annually, meaning that this should be a MAJOR concern to PA citizens. And what's worse, they've now spread at least to 16 states. I saw some in NYC a month ago, and I tried to go Starship Troopers on those goddamn bugs. But they were behind a fence on private property, GODDAMMIT.

Anyway, what does this have to do with the Pileated Woodpecker? Well, a few things. Firstly, while the Pileated Woodpecker focus mostly on ants as prey items, they certainly eat tree-boring insects and larvae like the ash-borer, and other woodpecker species are known to eat the lanternfly. It definitely stands to reason that the Pileated Woodpecker eats them as well, and their populations alone would likely contribute positively to the species. Plus, if trees are taken down to stop the spread of these guys, the woodpecker and others suffer. But even more prominently, as I've said before...it's a keystone species. A LOT of species depend on the Pileated for homes and tree hollows, and a MASSIVE amount of those animals eat spotted lanternflies. So, what I'm actually proposing as a conservation focus for PA is a large, iconic, and easily identifiable bird species that acts as both a cornerstone for the forest communities of PA, a protector for the forests from invasive insects, and therefore a symbol the forests of PA.

...Wait a minute. WHY DIDN'T I USE THIS ARGUMENT IN THE FIRST PLACE?!?

Well, uh...to be frank with you, I actually didn't know. This isn't an angle I'd considered until...well, getting ready to write this post. This actually is a great symbol for the state, but specifically for conservation purposes. So, I'm making up for it by making this a Conservation Focus for the state, giving it status as a major state symbol for the SBI. Protection of the Pileated Woodpecker means protection of the forests of Pennsylvania. Mission accomplished (in the alternate universe where the United States federal and state governments are reading this post series and taking it seriously).

The other point I'd like to make is in calling this a Conservation Focus. I don't think there needs to be one fixated species in this position; this should be a species of focus decided on during election cycles, with the capacity to be changed based on new candidates for the position. So, this is a focus, not the only one possible. Why not make the lanternfly the focus? Because they need to be squashed, literally squashed, not made into a federally recognized symbol. If there was a most wanted list for invasive species, these would be near the top. That might be the focus of another post series, now that I think about it. or maybe an art project to make Most Wanted posters, OH GOD MY OVERAMBITIOUS NATURE IS BEING ACTIVATED HELP

With that, though, that's the end of our story in Pennsylvania. We're gonna move on to a state with a...questionable reputation. Is it deserved? Will that be reflected in the State Bird choices? Who knows? We'll see that in the next poll, coming very soon! See you in New Jersey??

See you next time, and happy birding!

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