Why Do Woodpeckers Sometimes Peck On Drain Pipes?
Woodpeckers actually peck for a number of reasons. Sometimes they are drilling (or pecking) into a tree bark to get ants, grubs or other insects. Other times they may be starting off a nest hole and thus creating somewhere to live. However, they can sometimes be seen pecking on a roof, television aerials and telegraph poles etc, which will obviously not be suitable for either a nest or indeed a source of food. It is a means of establishing one’s territory though. The woodpecker is actually trying to create the loudest noise which he can and thus he can signal to the other birds in the area, that this is actually HIS territory. Or he could be settled in his territory and just sending out a message that he is king of the street and that he wants a mate to come and join him. (Presumably the louder the noise, the more attractive he becomes in her eyes).
