Wow, to have a mention, by you, in the same paragraph as Jason, is truly an honor. Thanks for what you do here, Bryan. And I really appreciated the point you made about the woodpecker. Who's wrecking whose home?
I have sapsuckers banging away on the metal roof of my woodshed. They stand up the feathers on their heads and they look around wildly between rounds of banging. Of course they like the power the metal gives them. Funny until it is 5:30 am. I solved the problem: I took a metal pot and a wooden spoon, listened carefully to the banging rhythm and pattern, and then responded with my own, much louder and bigger reply using the same sapsucker style. It worked. No more banging on the woodshed. Could be a coincidence, but I await next spring and a chance to try it again. Piliated would require a metal trash can and a hammer to make a big enough noise!
They (there were 3 of them, competing) moved down the driveway to the tractor shed roof. Still loud, but far enough away to not be deafening. Now they have all stopped their nonsense and must be raising a batch of chicks somewhere. I can’t find the nest(s) until the chicks start their loud begging.
I'm so grateful for the thoughtful mention, Bryan, thanks heaps! And if you think how many millions of birds are killed by flying into invisible glass windows, I, too, would find it hard to be mad at this woodpecker. An apt 'revenge'!
I’ve had a passing interest in Ivory billed woodpeckers since a report I did over 53 years ago, and I thought I had read that there was some belief that they are, in fact, not extinct. Here’s what Grok says:
No, it’s not certain that ivory-billed woodpeckers are extinct. The species was declared extinct by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2021, but recent evidence suggests they may still exist. A 2023 study in *Ecology and Evolution* reported sightings, drone footage, and audio recordings from Louisiana, indicating possible survival. Historical population declines due to habitat loss and hunting make confirmed sightings rare, but the evidence keeps the debate open. The International Union for Conservation of Nature still lists them as critically endangered, not extinct.
Thanks, Michael. Technically, yep, you are absolutely correct. We really can't know that they're extinct. As you no doubt know, it's been a long-running and healthy debate. Having looked a lot of the evidence, including the 2005 report, I've concluded that they're gone. Many others have as well. I hope I'm wrong -- and await being proven so. But I'll amend my post accordingly. I'm glad you commented!
Surrounded as I am by the woods of upper North Street, woodpeckers, especially Hairy and Downey are common. Sometimes they choose my house to peck. They left off after I explained that with all these trees, they didn't need my house!
I’ve also heard yellow-bellied sapsuckers drumming on TV antennas and other metal objects atop houses (back when we used to have TV antennas outside). Probably because they make the drumming sound louder and therefore more “macho!”
When we lived in a log house in the country, we were visited for several weeks by a pileated woodpecker who fell in love with his own reflection in the sliding glass door on our deck. At least that was our theory. He banged on the door, but never managed to break the glass and we were vastly entertained by his presence. It was always such an honor to be visited by wild creatures there.
What great company for you, Angela. In some ways, my encounters with Pileated Woodpeckers amounts to touching extinction. I was on the official search for Ivory-billed Woodpecker after the putative rediscovery in Arkansas back in 2005. We never found any, of course. But every Pileated that flew brought me closer to the past. I could feel it.
(By the way, I almost mentioned in the post that, as you know, although they look alike, Pileated and Ivory-billed woodpeckers aren't closely related sibling species, but rather constitute a fine example of convergent evolution. Pileated are actually more closely related to our Northern Flickers!)
Totally agree with you Bryan…. We humans take so much from nature, I feel obliged to give back especially food and water and brush piles:). Humans would never be so accommodating as the birds and nature should the tables be turned. Turn around is fair play for our feathered friends!
This reminded me of a time a woodpecker kept pecking at the lamp post in front of my house. My room faces the entrance, so I would be woken up in the wee hours of the morning with the incessant pecking sounds it made. It happened for months! I didn't know if it was mating season and there were several birds or just one confused fella thinking that eventually it would carve a hole in the post. I just remember it lasting forever!
Ha! I love that idea!... "they simply sing at each other until one retreats. (If only humans could resolve disputes this way). Imagining humans doing this successfully is hilarious and brilliant. Thank you also for the perspective on how much more damage we create than that of other animals. Nicely done!
I love the pileated woodpecker! And I love the idea of the humans getting a bit of their own medicine. But I can’t help but feel bad for this creature. Or maybe it’s not so bad. Maybe he’s constantly in a battle and always coming out the winner (ie. the shattering of the glass competitor)?
Thank you for another terrific post and the great recommendations.
A week ago, I was on a zoom meeting on my screen porch and heard that distinct Woody Woodpecker call. I look over and there’s a Pileated just standing there beside one of the Sweetgum trees! He then hopped aboard and up the trunk, I assume looking for treats. He was huge! I was blown away by his visitation. I even got to see him spread his wings for a short flight to the next tree. Wow.
Thanks for sharing Bryan! I've been so busy birding I'm out of touch with what is happening in the world. The politics I don't care about, the stock market I'm ignoring, but I love stories about nature and I'm with you, I love movies where the tables get turned and the hunters become the hunted.
I read our post right after I produced a podcast that included animals as teachers for humans...that is if humans tame their hubrice.
It seems symbolic too that mirrors are invoved since they are reflecting back to us our own behavior seen in the woodpecker.
Several years ago when I was living on the south end of Whidbey Island in Washington State, a male nothern flicker started drumming on the metal chimney of a natural gas stove. It was loud and at first I couldn't find the source of the noise which began at around 5 a.m. and woke me up. Eventually I learned from bird experts that the flicker was displaying territorial behavior and did this every spring.
Thanks for mirror metaphor, Patricia. I like it a lot! And 5 am does indeed seem to be woodpecker alarm time on metal. I've also heard them banging on road signs. Smart -- and loud -- birds!
Or if we think of the birds as musicians, we could say that they lean towards industrial music.
There's nothing like waking up to a flicker percussionist at dawn. I don't even believe the sun was completely up yet. I'm still awestruck when I see flickers, the flash of orange underneath their wings.
Wow, to have a mention, by you, in the same paragraph as Jason, is truly an honor. Thanks for what you do here, Bryan. And I really appreciated the point you made about the woodpecker. Who's wrecking whose home?
Yep, home-wreckers we are. But thanks for the hope, Amanda! We need very much!
I have sapsuckers banging away on the metal roof of my woodshed. They stand up the feathers on their heads and they look around wildly between rounds of banging. Of course they like the power the metal gives them. Funny until it is 5:30 am. I solved the problem: I took a metal pot and a wooden spoon, listened carefully to the banging rhythm and pattern, and then responded with my own, much louder and bigger reply using the same sapsucker style. It worked. No more banging on the woodshed. Could be a coincidence, but I await next spring and a chance to try it again. Piliated would require a metal trash can and a hammer to make a big enough noise!
Keep us posted, Sandy. I'll bet your sapsucker for an alternative!
They (there were 3 of them, competing) moved down the driveway to the tractor shed roof. Still loud, but far enough away to not be deafening. Now they have all stopped their nonsense and must be raising a batch of chicks somewhere. I can’t find the nest(s) until the chicks start their loud begging.
Human beings are a plague, basically, that is totally out of control on the planet. We are the aliens.
I'm so grateful for the thoughtful mention, Bryan, thanks heaps! And if you think how many millions of birds are killed by flying into invisible glass windows, I, too, would find it hard to be mad at this woodpecker. An apt 'revenge'!
Oh, the windows and house cats -- heartbreaking. Thanks for the BLUE, Jessica!
I’ve had a passing interest in Ivory billed woodpeckers since a report I did over 53 years ago, and I thought I had read that there was some belief that they are, in fact, not extinct. Here’s what Grok says:
No, it’s not certain that ivory-billed woodpeckers are extinct. The species was declared extinct by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2021, but recent evidence suggests they may still exist. A 2023 study in *Ecology and Evolution* reported sightings, drone footage, and audio recordings from Louisiana, indicating possible survival. Historical population declines due to habitat loss and hunting make confirmed sightings rare, but the evidence keeps the debate open. The International Union for Conservation of Nature still lists them as critically endangered, not extinct.
Thanks, Michael. Technically, yep, you are absolutely correct. We really can't know that they're extinct. As you no doubt know, it's been a long-running and healthy debate. Having looked a lot of the evidence, including the 2005 report, I've concluded that they're gone. Many others have as well. I hope I'm wrong -- and await being proven so. But I'll amend my post accordingly. I'm glad you commented!
Surrounded as I am by the woods of upper North Street, woodpeckers, especially Hairy and Downey are common. Sometimes they choose my house to peck. They left off after I explained that with all these trees, they didn't need my house!
Ha! I’m glad they’re so understanding!
I’ve also heard yellow-bellied sapsuckers drumming on TV antennas and other metal objects atop houses (back when we used to have TV antennas outside). Probably because they make the drumming sound louder and therefore more “macho!”
When we lived in a log house in the country, we were visited for several weeks by a pileated woodpecker who fell in love with his own reflection in the sliding glass door on our deck. At least that was our theory. He banged on the door, but never managed to break the glass and we were vastly entertained by his presence. It was always such an honor to be visited by wild creatures there.
What great company for you, Angela. In some ways, my encounters with Pileated Woodpeckers amounts to touching extinction. I was on the official search for Ivory-billed Woodpecker after the putative rediscovery in Arkansas back in 2005. We never found any, of course. But every Pileated that flew brought me closer to the past. I could feel it.
(By the way, I almost mentioned in the post that, as you know, although they look alike, Pileated and Ivory-billed woodpeckers aren't closely related sibling species, but rather constitute a fine example of convergent evolution. Pileated are actually more closely related to our Northern Flickers!)
How interesting! We love catching glimpses of the Northern Flicker.
Yours is the only Substack in which I read all of the comments. Always enlightening 😊
You and me both, Paula! I like my readers' ideas!
Excellent, Brian. Excellent. On all levels.
You've made my day -- this means a lot to me.
Totally agree with you Bryan…. We humans take so much from nature, I feel obliged to give back especially food and water and brush piles:). Humans would never be so accommodating as the birds and nature should the tables be turned. Turn around is fair play for our feathered friends!
Thanks for supporting my turnabout thesis. I admit to have some doubts about it.
This reminded me of a time a woodpecker kept pecking at the lamp post in front of my house. My room faces the entrance, so I would be woken up in the wee hours of the morning with the incessant pecking sounds it made. It happened for months! I didn't know if it was mating season and there were several birds or just one confused fella thinking that eventually it would carve a hole in the post. I just remember it lasting forever!
Ha! I love that idea!... "they simply sing at each other until one retreats. (If only humans could resolve disputes this way). Imagining humans doing this successfully is hilarious and brilliant. Thank you also for the perspective on how much more damage we create than that of other animals. Nicely done!
Back atcha with gratitude for the serenades!
I love the pileated woodpecker! And I love the idea of the humans getting a bit of their own medicine. But I can’t help but feel bad for this creature. Or maybe it’s not so bad. Maybe he’s constantly in a battle and always coming out the winner (ie. the shattering of the glass competitor)?
Thank you for another terrific post and the great recommendations.
I do hope he feels as if he's getting the better of all that glass! (May Viv be spared ... and with everlasting fondness for Ruby.)
Awwwww, thank you. Viv and Ruby both appreciate this response much.
PS. I’ve spent the last couple days emptying and cleaning Ruby out. So many emotions. ;)
A week ago, I was on a zoom meeting on my screen porch and heard that distinct Woody Woodpecker call. I look over and there’s a Pileated just standing there beside one of the Sweetgum trees! He then hopped aboard and up the trunk, I assume looking for treats. He was huge! I was blown away by his visitation. I even got to see him spread his wings for a short flight to the next tree. Wow.
One of their fields marks (not in field guides): when they fly they transport you as well!
Thanks for sharing Bryan! I've been so busy birding I'm out of touch with what is happening in the world. The politics I don't care about, the stock market I'm ignoring, but I love stories about nature and I'm with you, I love movies where the tables get turned and the hunters become the hunted.
I'm SO HAPPY that you're so busy birding, Lisa. (I'm even a bit envious!)
Thank you Bryan! I’ve missed two years of spring and fall migration. It’s great to get back to it :)
I read our post right after I produced a podcast that included animals as teachers for humans...that is if humans tame their hubrice.
It seems symbolic too that mirrors are invoved since they are reflecting back to us our own behavior seen in the woodpecker.
Several years ago when I was living on the south end of Whidbey Island in Washington State, a male nothern flicker started drumming on the metal chimney of a natural gas stove. It was loud and at first I couldn't find the source of the noise which began at around 5 a.m. and woke me up. Eventually I learned from bird experts that the flicker was displaying territorial behavior and did this every spring.
Thanks for mirror metaphor, Patricia. I like it a lot! And 5 am does indeed seem to be woodpecker alarm time on metal. I've also heard them banging on road signs. Smart -- and loud -- birds!
Or if we think of the birds as musicians, we could say that they lean towards industrial music.
There's nothing like waking up to a flicker percussionist at dawn. I don't even believe the sun was completely up yet. I'm still awestruck when I see flickers, the flash of orange underneath their wings.