Is it a bear?

not2sharp said:
Pileated Woodpeckers...well the wood chips look to be the right size.

n2s
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Yes they do look similiar. Its hard to believe a bird could rip a tree apart like that. I too believe it was a woodpecker. The second picture shows what looks like claw marks. Do woodpeckers leave marks like that?
 
redhawk44p said:
I did not think a woodpecker could shred a tree like that.
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They can and do! While in my treestand bowhunting, I've watched one really wreck a standing dead pine into large chips like the ones in the photo.

I'd bet my next paycheck it was a pileated woodpecker.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I think the fine folks here have solved the mystery. Thanks very much. Now I can go there without watching over my shoulder for a dang bear.
 
redhawk44p said:
The second picture shows what looks like claw marks. Do woodpeckers leave marks like that?
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It is definitely NOT bear sign.

If a bear pulled apart that tree, the bark would have been pulled off in big chunks, and so would some (most) of the wood. The ground would also be disturbed around the tree from the bear pulling and tugging at it. Instead of big, splintered pieces, there are loosely-piled chips. Woodpecker.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
The wood chips were loosely stacked and not stepped on. We have had several cougar siteings in this area. When I saw that tree I thought perhaps a bear had migrated in or someone had turned a pet one loose. I knew the woodsman here could answer the question.
 
I don't think it is a Pileated Woodpecker, I've seen them in action and when they start pecking large holes seem to appear.

Porcupines eat bark but usually from standing trees, a Wolverine or a Badger may have been stretching out the claws and picking up a little snack in the process. Pear speculation though.

Good luck
Helle
 
not2sharp said:
brdpw040627.jpg


Pileated Woodpeckers...well the wood chips look to be the right size.

n2s
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thats one hungry bird
 
desmobob said:
My first guess was "Pileated woodpecker." They are big birds and can absolutely wreck a standing or fallen tree.


Stay sharp,
desmobob
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They mainly go after carpenter ants and dig charateristic rectangular holes (w/ rounded corner) 1-3" deep. We have lots around here. Very loud. They are active already. The do not strip all the bark off a tree so far as I have seen, and I look.

We have an ant mound at the edge of trees and Woody visits to dig into the mound with his beak.
 
I have hiked the woods around here for over 50 years and I have never seen a woodpecker leave such huge wood chips usually they are smaller like the pic above. We have russian boar in the area but it was not their work. It had to be a woodpecker on roids. I will not grab that bad boy for sure.
 
In Mneedham's picture that was the result of the pileated trying to build a nest cavity, not looking for food. I actually camped one time for a week in the same spot in Florida, and watched a P' woody pick out a tree not less than 50ft away in clear view. Every day from Sun up to Sun down that poor bird worked himself to a frazzle pecking that hole out, only stopping to go get a drink of water. After about 3 days he was able to get halfway into the hole pecking. By week's end he had brought a 'lady friend' by who seemed unimpressed as the poor bugger kept cleaning out the hole throwing the chips out like a mad man. I felt sorry for him when she flew off, with him in tow. But before I left they were hanging around the tree and I think he found himself a keeper!
 
Thomas Linton said:
The do not strip all the bark off a tree so far as I have seen, and I look.
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As I mentioned in a previous post, I watched one do it to a broken-off, standing dead pine. I may even have a photo of the chip pile at its base, whcih I stopped to examine on my way out of the woods.

I was snowshoeing last Sunday and saw a hemlock with its base surrounded by a pile of big wood chips like in the OP. I looked up to see that it was also broken off, and a woodpecker had debarked and chipped an inch or so deep into the entire top three or four feet.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
Do you have wolverines or badgers in your area? I wouldn't rule out the woodpecker.... you may be on a migratory route. I have seen trees that had a blanket of chips in a 5 foot radius..... those things are like piranas in groups.
 
No wolverines and I have never seen or heard of a badger. That tree was simply torn apart. We were like "what the heck". I started thinking of myself as a bear happy meal.:D
 
Looks like your to far south for a Wolverine or Porcupine. Sounds like Badger live all over the US and Black bear wouldn't be a stretch.

Could also be Mother Nature for all we know. I've come across dead trees where the bark has fallen off and the pulp is like flaky paper add some insects, worms, and weathering and you may have your pic.

I know it's a stretch but rot happens.
 
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