Regardless, woodpeckers are a migratory non-game bird and are protected by the State and Federal Wildlife Departments and therefore should not be harmed. A U.S. Researchers at the Lab of Ornithology have performed studies relating nuisance woodpeckers. A federal permit is required before any lethal control methods are employed. Canada protects certain families of birds. Woodpeckers are classified as migratory nongame birds and are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Regardless of why they’re pecking on your house, the damage woodpeckers cause is real and should be stopped as soon as possible. for ideas on how to deal with troublesome woodpeckers. The pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is a large, mostly black woodpecker native to North America. This means that most control methods are some form of disturbance. This was a pledge made under the Migratory Birds Convention, which was signed by the United Kingdom, on behalf of Canada, and the United States in 1916.. Any migratory bird species that meets all 3 of the following criteria is protected in Canada under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994: Woodpeckers are federally protected because they are migratory, non-game birds and killing them without being in possession of the correct permits will result in a very hefty fine. Once you know why woodpeckers are hammering on your house, you can develop strategies for stopping them. That means it is illegal to kill them or capture them. Criteria for protection. Woodpeckers' head-pounding pecking against trees and telephone poles subjects them to enormous forces — they can easily slam their beaks against wood with a force 1,000 times that of gravity. The other half of the time they can wreak some havoc on your house - and fairly quickly. Woodpeckers are classified as migratory, nongame birds and are protected by state and federal laws. Woodpeckers peck wood to find their food. Fish and Wildlife can issue a permit that allows exceptions. Woodpeckers are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Since they are protected, professional woodpecker control is usually needed. Recommendations include: Visual deterrents - Hang up items that will blow and swing in the breeze to scare them away. Steps to getting rid of Woodpeckers: Why We Want to Keep Woodpeckers Out Take a look at Can Woodpecker Deterrents Safeguard My House? Scientists even think some of the things they found out about woodpeckers can be used to make better helmets. A woodpecker’s skull is like an internal bike helmet to keep its brain from getting hurt. Maybe one day your noggin will be as well protected from damage as a woodpecker’s brain. Like any other creature on this planet, woodpeckers have their own unique way of finding food. An insectivore, it inhabits deciduous forests in eastern North America, the Great Lakes, the boreal forests of Canada, and parts of the Pacific Coast.It is the largest common woodpecker in the U.S., possibly second to the critically endangered or extinct ivory-billed. Under certain circumstances, U.S. Flicker control permits are not issued from May 15 through August 15, except in special circumstances. Like many animals, woodpeckers … Fish and Wildlife Service permit is required when capturing, killing or possessing a migratory bird (any bird except upland game birds, house sparrows, starlings and pigeons). For instance, bald eagles come to the water surface and dip their feet into the water to catch fish. That means it is illegal to kill them or capture them. We do advise you to follow your local laws when dealing with all animals. Here are 6 reasons why woodpeckers peck wood! All woodpeckers are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 as migratory insectivorous birds and are classified as non-game by the state. Legally all woodpeckers are protected so can not be legally killed without a federal permit.