Woodpecker Hammering On The Raingutter

[Bird]

Last Spring, I was outside in the shop when it sounded as if someone was using a jackhammer right outside. It was several days before I got a glimpse of the culprit and that went on for several days or maybe weeks. And now he's back (or maybe friends of his). I can't tell that he's hurting anything, but it sure is noisy when he's hammering on the aluminum rain gutter. I'm not sure what breed of woodpecker he is, since I've only gotten brief glimpses of him; moderately dark colored, and pretty small.

I'd never heard of such a thing before. Has anyone else had this happen, and does anyone know why he'd be hammering on a rain gutter?

 

[oldballs]

Happens here all the time. I don't even look anymore. But it is a good sign of spring. It would be better if that pecker would fine a nice piece of ash however.

 

[newbury]

Sounds like a plot for a cartoon series!
The Woody Woodpecker Show - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[eddie48]

He's announcing his presence to the other woodpeckers. The ladies love the noise and the guys think he's huge and scary.

 

[Looking4new]

Have you got a pellet rifle? That will deter the little pecker.

 

[the old grind]

Heh, I have fir siding and know the little rascals all too well. Gaps in the cross plies allow insects to enter thru' the milled grooves and lay their eggs under the top ply. I guess the woodpeckers can hear larvae wiggling inside so they go after them, and the result looks like this:


Add that to woodpeckers and flickers starting holes at surface knots and one can easily see why I use so much wood filler when touching up my crib's paint job. I do a lot of yelling and arm waving but can't be here all the time, so they stay way ahead of me on the sides I haven't redone yet. (thinking of going to vertical vinyl siding, if they'll get the hint.)

The rare and funny sound I hear is when a woodpecker decides there's something in a tube of the ancient TV tower (remains as shortcut to the roof) and hammers away as if riveting metal. I'm reminded that all critters won't pass their best traits on to the next generation every time I hear that 'clangety-clang' sound.

 

[k0ua]

He's announcing his presence to the other woodpeckers. The ladies love the noise and the guys think he's huge and scary.

Yep, this is the reason, he is trying to drum up a mate. I have had it happen here and boy is it loud.

 

[rsallen]

Ain't heard anything yet til one of them gets started on a tin roof or a stove pipe.

Funny story; My grandfather had a wooden gateway/arch that was something of a landmark in the small town his ranch was located.
Well him and a neighbor got together and restored it to pristine like new condition. Yip, a woodpecker got started smack dab in the middle of the archway.
He tried bb's, pellets, rocks, a decoy owl......everything available at the time.
Finally he went out with the shotgun. Blew a hole threw the fascia along with the pecker.
Now that woodpecker is a permanent part of the gateway.

 

[3930dave]

Around here, they seem to like the double wall stainless-steel insulated stove pipe.

LOUD.

Common enough that I wouldn't be surprised if a good pipe manufacturer has a defined wood-pecker shop test for material durability !

Rgds, D.

 

[rekees4300]

Has anyone else had this happen

Yes they liked the wood trim on my house. Bribing them with suet solved the problem.