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Wascally Woodpecker..a Pileated Woodpecker comes to visit my West Linn Oregon backyard

By Cindy Westfall

Real Estate Agent with Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon

February 13, 2011 11:44 AM

Ever since moving to my new home, I have just gone to the birds. I have some feeders hanging from the railing of my deck (which is three stories high in the back) so I can watch them from my windows. It would seem that I've attracted some woodpeckers ever since I started putting the suet feeder up. A common sight to my feeder are the Downy Woodpecker, (or could be the Hairy Woodpecker) since they look so much alike, and Norther Flickers. Yesterday morning, I looked out my bedroom window and saw for the first time this huge Pileated Woodpecker. I grabbed my camera and tried to get as close as I could without it taking off. It seems that the birds are really coming out in abundance lately so I need another trip to my favorite bird store The Backyard Bird Store..I go to the one in Lake Oswego, as well as the one in Clackamas depending on where I am at the time, but they have several all over the Portland Metro area.They are very knowledgable, so a great resource as well!

Pileated woodpecker in my West Linn Oregon backyard feeder

Now I know I've sorta created a monster for myself, because even though I love these birds, last year my husband and I were woken at 7AM every morning for several weeks by this horrible sound. At first I thought it was something gone crazy with the furnace, but after running through the house..everything looked ok.

I found this video online of someone who heard the same exact sound. If you hear this sound...you'll now know it is a woodpecker pecking on metal. Why would a woodpecker peck on metal?...how much wood can a woodchuck chuck?Did Peter piper picked a peck of pickled peppers?..oh wait ..that's something else..sorry. Ok..bird lesson over for today!

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Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Hi Cindy....I wish I had woodpeckers in my yard.....that video was great....

Feb 13, 2011 11:51 AM

Cindy Westfall

Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR

ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Barbara, they are really cool to look at being larger with fun coloring. Thank God for Youtube so we finally knew where that noise was coming from!

Feb 13, 2011 11:56 AM

Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate

Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR

Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

What a great peek into the great outdoors, in your own backyard! Super video. Thanks for sharing.

Gretchen

Feb 13, 2011 12:21 PM

Hi Gretchen, I was so wanting to inch closer to the window...but I didn't want to chance this one flying away since it's the first one I've seen. I read they move in pairs, so there should be another around.

Feb 13, 2011 01:29 PM

Bob Pfeiffer

McBride Kelly & Associates - Tampa, FL

Cindy,

Thanks for the video and the bird report! By the way, if you know of anyone looking to move to the Sunshine State, refer them to me and I will gladly pay a 30% referral fee on any resulting closed transaction.

Feb 13, 2011 01:56 PM

Barbara Altieri

Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT

REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

Cindy -- That was so funny! Busted is right! I had one just like around here a few years back. Every time I tried to get a shot of him, he bolted. He just loved the corner of my house and it sounded like a machine gun out there. I was surprised how BIG he was!

Feb 13, 2011 03:02 PM

Hi Bob, now you know more about woodpecker than you ever thought you would right?

Feb 13, 2011 03:05 PM

Hi Barbara, Imagine that machine gun sound inside your house..first time my husband and I jumped out of bed so quick..never thought I could move that fast without the benefit of at least one cup of coffee! In the link to why to they peck on medal there is a video clip on a battery operated spider to scare them away. If they decide to start up again...I'll look into getting one of those.

Feb 13, 2011 03:08 PM

Jill Sackler

Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY

LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

You certainly do know your birds. How on earth do you tell them apart?

Feb 14, 2011 03:59 AM

Hi Jill, for Christmas, my hubby not only gave me three great books on local birds, but a trusty cheat sheet bird chart of our local backyard birds. This is the first time I've seen this woodpecker..so probably the one that was pecking the metal on our chimney this morning..ooops..and here I am feeding them..lol. Oh well, figure they were going to come back anyway..and they do need to eat.

Feb 14, 2011 04:03 AM

Wascally Woodpecker..a Pileated Woodpecker comes to visit my West Linn Oregon backyard

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