Gatineau chooses the Pileated Woodpecker as the city’s emblem

Sophie Demers

After a public vote that was held online from May 9 to June 4, Gatineau announced that the Pileated Woodpecker is the city’s new emblem. This bird was the most chosen by residents among the five options presented. A total of 4,182 residents participated in the public vote.

The decision to have a bird emblem was part of the city's efforts to obtain Bird Friendly City certification, which is awarded by Nature Canada. The certification aims to protect the birds in the area. To obtain the certification, the city must meet a minimum standard of reducing threats to local birds, safeguarding natural habitats and climate resiliency in their community, and engaging residents in this process.

According to Nature Canada, in the last 50 years, the North American bird population has decreased by over 25%. This is what led to the Bird Friendly City certification initiative. The city’s Bird Friendly City Committee, which formed in December 2024, plans to submit the application for certification by September 2025.

"Gatineau is giving wings to its commitment to preserving nature and paving the way for a future where birdsong will continue to fill our parks and neighbourhoods,” said Anik Des Marais, Mitigomijokan councillor and Vice-President of the Environment and Climate Change Commission. “Thanks to citizen mobilization and municipal commitment, Gatineau is taking a new step toward Bird Friendly City certification, a project that seeks to reduce biodiversity loss."

Gatineau states that the Pileated Woodpecker plays an important role in maintaining local biodiversity and is present on Gatineau territory year-round. The city states that this emblem evokes pride through its majestic appearance and resilience.

“It represents us, and it constantly reminds us of the importance that birds have in our lives, the importance of birds for biodiversity, the importance of birds for balance in our forests,” said Jean-Marc Emery, President of the Club des ornithologues de l’Outaouais, when he addressed the council during the July 8 meeting. Emery has collaborated with the city throughout the Bird Friendly certification process.