In the seaside town of Rockford, Massachusetts, more than two dozen vehicle owners have fallen victim to an overzealous woodpecker; who for weeks has broken windshields and side mirrors.
According to neighbors whose vehicles have been damaged by the 24 inch, pileated woodpecker, no larger than a crow, the little critter with the bright red crest, has landed on windshields wipers and often stares in the rearview mirrors of himself, not understanding that the reflection is his – rather than a rival male bird or competitor.
You see, this is prime mating season for the woodpeckers and other birds; at this time they often get quite aggressive and demonstrate some territorial courtship displays experts say.
Residents claim this woodpecker has destroyed 25 mirrors; Janelle Favaloro, an area resident even posted a comical warning about the feathered culprit:
there has been a vandal breaking vehicle mirrors. he is described at 18″ -24″ tall, wearing black and white, with a red hat.
The Facebook post appeared on April 1 to coincide with April’s Fool Day, but alas, the little guy with a mission hasn’t stopped searching for the feathered girl of his dreams yet – and all those mirrored images of competitive suitors are being asked to move along.
Most people are familiar with the anthromorphic woodpecker, Woody, created in the 1940s. He was generally described as being mischievous and a bit of a troublemaker. He was best known for his loud laugh and outsmarting those who dared to compete with his antics.
Just asking; is this little guy a relative of Woody?
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