- A woodpecker in a Mascheuttes neighbourhood is famous
- The woodpecker is known for breaking the wing mirrors on cars
- However, residents have embraced the mischievous fellow as one of their own
A woodpecker has been committing vandalism in a Massachusetts neighbourhood. However, residents love the little bird anyway. The seaside town of Rockport has an invader determined to peck off their car wing mirrors. The mirror-breaking woodpecker became the subject of many chats from residents when they discovered he was the vandal.
Read more: Ed Sheeran shares old pics on new Instagram account
The sneaky bird has spent the last few weeks destroying the mirrors on Rockport residents’ cars. In one case, the bird destroyed one vehicle’s window. But they aren’t calling the police or capturing the little animal. They are letting the bird have its fun.
What is going on with the mirror-breaking woodpecker?
One resident, Ben Favaloro, told AP News, “Everybody’s having a good laugh about it. “Nobody wants harm to the bird. He’s always welcome back.”
Residents have noticed the presence of the pesky pecker in their quiet seaside town. But the mirror-breaking woodpecker is a new phenomenon, according to accounts from residents.
Initially, Favaloro and his neighbours thought it was a rebellious child going around and damaging the mirrors. That was until Favaloro became a victim.
One day, his sister spotted the mirror-breaking woodpecker on his truck pecking away at his mirror!
But the woodpecker in question isn’t just a regular one, it is a piliated woodpecker. For those who aren’t fluent in bird, a pileated woodpecker is a large species of woodpecker, around a similar size to a crow. They have a red crest, a prominent white stripe on their neck, and a mostly black body.
While this species is big, they aren’t known to peck at natural objects, according to senior biologist Pamela Hunt.
Although many birds have fascinations with shiny things and reflections (crows, for one), she says this behavior is not typical of woodpeckers.
Why is the woodpecker pecking mirrors?
A suggestion that could make sense, Hunt suggests, is that the mirror-breaking woodpecker is damaging property because it thinks it’s marking its territory. Since it is almost mating season for pileated woodpeckers, it is doing this to scare away competition for potential mates.
But that is just one theory. In one report, the residents even said the cheeky woodpecker has found his female mate, but he could not be reached for comment to confirm this.
A few videos have captured the sneaky birdie pecking away in Rockport, residents embrace it.
No cars have been harmed in the making of the news reports, as residents have been covering their mirrors with sheets and covers.
However, the big woodpecker is still at large and has not been prosecuted for his crimes.
