A seaside Massachusetts town appears to have fallen prey to an overzealous pileated woodpecker that damaged more than 20 vehicles, one resident said.
For weeks, Rockport locals have dealt with broken car windshields and side mirrors. Resident Janelle Favaloro was able to capture a photo of the culprit: a large, crow-sized bird whacking away at vehicles.
“We seem to have a vandal in our neighborhood. I’m describing him as 18 to 24 inches tall, wearing black and white with a red hat,” Favaloro said on NBC’s “TODAY” show.
She said the woodpecker is responsible for damaging at least 25 vehicles.
“The woodpecker showed up and landed on the windshield wipers of the RV in our yard and was looking at its reflection. And we were like, ‘You know what, I bet he was the one that damaged the mirrors as well.'”
The pileated woodpecker is nearly the size of a crow and has white stripes down the neck and a flaming-red crest, according to Allaboutbirds.org
Ron Magill, Zoo Miami’s communications director, said one reason for the woodpecker’s aggressive behavior could be the result of peak mating season.
“This time of year is breeding season, so all these male birds, not just pileated woodpeckers, but all birds are getting into a very aggressive territorial courtship display,” he said on NBC’s “TODAY” show.
“If they’re seeing their reflections of themselves, they don’t understand it’s a reflection,” he continued. “They think it’s a competitor.”