Woody Woodpecker

We don't get these types of woodpeckers here Joy so this is very nice to see...thanks :)

That's funny,Don. You'd think it would jar their heads to peck an unyielding object like that. We have some 4 x 4 wooden posts shoring up our portable gazebo roof in the winter against snow load, and I've also seen woodpeckers going at them, too. I'm quite sure there are no bugs in them.

Any woodpecker will try pecking on metal, I think, although around here they seem to prefer the "wood-block" effect of dead limbs. The Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker, however, is notorious for preferring metal. One discovered the chimney to the gas furnace on my garage, and almost drove me crazy. There's a story of one in Colorado who picked on an abandoned car, and could be heard over a quarter-mile away.

Dave, I've had the same question as you when I've heard the same pecking on metal. Thanks to Suzy for enlightening us!! I never knew that. Good luck at your own pecking, Dave!!
Thanks, Suzy!
Yeah, Lily, I'm glad we don't have lots of bugs yet. Especially mosquitos!!
I feel that way, too, Dianne. Thanks.

What a treat !

He is cheeky but then I expect the bugs are not plentiful right now. Nice photo.

Wow !!! I'll have to try that . . . .
Dave

Oh WOW! Such a lucky friend to have him as a visitor! I am like dondi. I have to trek through the woods to find them as well.
Woodpeckers peck on metal to attract mates, Dave. They think the more noise they make, the better their chances of finding a lady! :)

This reminds me -- somewhere in my past, I had a neighborhood woodpecker that would bang on a metal pole -- drove me crazy, day after day. I'm pretty sure he didn't find any bugs in it, so maybe he just liked the ringing in his ears???
Dave

Funny, Don. I bet they fly faster than you can run!!
Thanks for the tip, Ellen. I didn't know that.

They also like bread smeared with peanut butter. Nice shot, Li!

Hmmph! Pileateds never come to *my* feeders - I have to chase them through the woods!