Understanding Woodpecker Drumming Behavior

Woodpeckers are known for their distinctive drumming sounds. Their drumming serves crucial purposes, such as attracting mates to establish a territory. We’ll explore the unique characteristics of woodpecker drumming, how it differs from other vocalizations, and the intriguing ways these birds communicate through their rhythmic language.

Pileated Woodpecker drumming on its favorite spot. Woodpeckers often have a spot that offer loud and favorable sounding quality to which they return to drum every day, particularly at the beginning of the the breeding season.

What is Woodpecker drumming?

Drumming in woodpeckers is a distinct and often loud sound created by rapidly striking their bills against a resonant surface. Drumming serves a communicative purpose, unlike their other sounds which are used for more immediate interactions.

Purpose of Drumming

  • Attracting a Mate: Drumming serves as a way to attract potential mates during the breeding season, much like a bird song.
  • Declaring Territory: It’s also used to announce their presence and establish territorial boundaries, warning off rivals.

Distinguishing Drumming from Other Woodpecker Sounds

Resonant Surfaces: Woodpeckers strategically choose surfaces that amplify sound, such as hollow trees, branches, and even human-made structures like gutters, to maximize the reach of their drumming.

Speed and Rhythm: Drumming is characterized by its rapid, rhythmic pattern, setting it apart from the slower, more deliberate pecking sounds they produce when excavating for food or creating nest cavities.

Seasonal Activity: Drumming is primarily a breeding season behavior, unlike their calls which are used year-round.

Both Sexes Drum: Unlike the songs of many songbirds, which are primarily produced by males, both male and female woodpeckers engage in drumming.

How fast can woodpeckers peck?

Woodpeckers drum on hard surfaces with “great rapidity” for communication purposes. They can drum at varying speeds depending on the species. For example:

Species Beats per Second
Downy Woodpecker16
Red-bellied Woodpecker18
Hairy Woodpecker25

The fastest recorded drumming speed is from the Japanese pygmy woodpecker, which can exceed 38 beats per second.

Force of Impacts: Woodpeckers can withstand decelerations of approximately 10,000 m/s² (1,000 g) during pecking. This measurement provides insight into the force involved but not the actual pecking speed.

Distinction Between Drumming, Foraging, and Excavation pecking

Pecking speed varies depending on the purpose of the pecking. Drumming can be communicative behavior, the action of foraging, and the action of cavity excavation, which involve a slower and more deliberate action.

Why do woodpeckers drum on houses?  

Woodpeckers primarily drum on trees to attract mates and defend territories. They seek resonant surfaces to amplify their calls. Houses, with their potential for resonance and insect infestations, can inadvertently become drumming sites. 

To deter woodpeckers from drumming on houses, visual and auditory deterrents, as well as physical exclusion methods, can be employed.

Drumming as Communication:

Woodpeckers drum on hard surfaces primarily for communication purposes. This drumming serves to attract mates and declare territories. It is analogous to the songs of passerine birds, used for species recognition and attracting potential partners.

Seeking Resonant Surfaces:

Woodpeckers intentionally select surfaces that resonate well for drumming, such as hollow tree trunks and branches. The amplified sound produced by these surfaces allows their messages to travel further. 

This behavior extends beyond natural materials, as woodpeckers have also been observed using man-made structures like gutters and downpipes for drumming.

Houses Mimicking Natural Drumming Sites:

  • Based on the information above, it can be inferred that woodpeckers drum on houses for the same reasons they drum on trees—communication and territory establishment. 

Certain features of houses, such as hollow walls, wooden siding, or metal roofs, might inadvertently provide the resonant qualities that woodpeckers seek for amplifying their drumming sounds.

Other Potential Contributing Factors 

Other factors might contribute to woodpeckers drumming on houses, such as:

  • Insect infestations: Woodpeckers primarily feed on insects found in wood. Houses with insect infestations might attract woodpeckers looking for food, and the drumming could be a byproduct of their foraging activities.
  • Mistaking houses for trees: Depending on the house’s design and location, woodpeckers might mistakenly perceive it as a suitable tree for drumming or even nesting.

Mitigating Woodpecker Drumming on Houses 

Various strategies can be employed to deter woodpeckers from drumming on houses, such as:

  • Visual deterrents: Hanging shiny objects, such as aluminum foil or mirrors, near the drumming site can startle and discourage woodpeckers.
  • Noise deterrents: Using wind chimes or ultrasonic devices can create sounds that are unpleasant to woodpeckers.
  • Exclusion methods: Covering the affected area with netting or sheet metal can physically prevent woodpeckers from accessing the drumming surface.

It’s important to note that these methods may work in some situations better than in others. It is recommended to test their effectiveness and appropriateness.

Can Woodpeckers be Identified by their Drumming?

While it can be challenging, it is sometimes possible to identify a woodpecker species based on its drumming.

  • Cadence (Beats per Second): Each species has a characteristic drumming cadence.
  • Rhythm: The rhythm, or the pattern of beats and pauses, can also be helpful in distinguishing some species. For example, sapsuckers often have an irregular drumming rhythm.
  • Limited Species in an Area: Identification becomes easier in areas where relatively few woodpecker species occur.
Red-headed Woodpecker: The drumming is short, relatively slow and weak. Williamson’s Sapsucker: Gives an initial burst followed by followed by slower taps that fade.
White-headed Woodpecker: Relatively long, with increasing and decreasing tempo. Northern Flicker: Moderate to fast speed but variable. Can be confused with the drumming of other woodpeckers.

Factors Affecting Woodpecker Identification by Drumming

  • Distance: The distance between the listener and the drumming woodpecker can make it challenging to accurately discern the specific pattern.
  • Substrate: The type of surface the woodpecker is drumming on can influence the sound quality and make identification more difficult.
  • Similarity of Patterns: Some woodpecker species have very similar drumming patterns, making it challenging to distinguish between them based on sound alone.

Conclusions: Woodpecker Drumming

Woodpeckers use drumming as a sophisticated communication tool that goes beyond simple noise-making. Their rhythmic language serves multiple critical functions.  

Key Takeaways:

  • Drumming is a strategic communication method for mate attraction and territorial defense 
  • Both male and female woodpeckers participate in this unique behavior 
  • Drumming patterns can vary between species, offering potential identification clues
  • The behavior is primarily seasonal, concentrated during breeding periods

See also: Regional Guides to the Woodpeckers of North America

Additional resources:

References and Sources:

  • The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior, 2001. Chris Elphick, John Dunning, and David Sibley (eds). Alfred A. Knopf, New York.xt
  • Allaboutbirds.org)
  • Gill, Frank B., 1994. Ornithology – 2nd Edition, W. H. Freeman and Company.

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