I do believe we studied woodpecker some in animal behavior. And if I recall,
they do have a mating ritual that involves some tapping. I will have to
confirm though.

-Ken
ken at wildlanders.com

>From: Robert Cleland <cleland at u.washington.edu>
>Reply-To: cleland at u.washington.edu
>To: Tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
>Subject: Re: Flickers
>Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 12:34:52 -0800 (PST)
>
>This is the season when the flickers seem to delight in pounding away on
>metal chimnneys and metal tops of streetlights. Why? Is it to attract a
>mate? Or to proclaim a territory? Or to sharpen their beaks? Does
>anyone know if there have been any studies on this? And how about other
>woodpeckers - are any others known to behave this way? Thankfully, the
>Pileateds in our neighborhood have not taken to beating their heads on
>such metal objects.
>
> ************************
> Robert Cleland
>
> Professor (Emeritus), Biology Dept. Box 355325
> Univ. of Washington
> Seattle, WA 98195-5325
> Phone (206) 543-6105; FAX (206) 685-1728
>

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