A bothersome woodpecker has been wreaking havoc on 25 vehicles and continues to do so in a town in Massachusetts.

      NBC10 Boston/YouTube

      Subscribe to The Drive’s daily newsletter

      In a coastal town in Massachusetts, vehicular vandalism has become rampant, with over two dozen cars vandalized since March. The perpetrator is described as clad in black and white with a red hat, and standing about two feathery feet tall. That’s correct, it’s a bird—specifically, a frisky woodpecker.

      The allure of nature can sometimes lead to aggressive and destructive behaviors among local wildlife, particularly in populated areas. In Rockport, Massachusetts, the wildlife responsible for damaging car mirrors has been identified as a pileated woodpecker.

      Resident Janelle Favaloro informed People that she witnessed the woodpecker wreaking havoc and shared her observations in a community Facebook group. Likely one of the first to uncover the identity of the vehicle vandal, Favaloro’s post stated: “There is a vandal breaking vehicle mirrors. He is described as 18"-24" tall, wearing black and white, with a red hat.”

      Neighbors chimed in, noting similar damage to their own vehicle mirrors but were perplexed about the cause. “It turned into a viral neighborhood topic,” explained Favaloro. “Then we realized he’s basically covering the entire top of the hill where we live. It’s quite wooded here, so he’s claimed this as his turf.”

      As per All About Birds, this woodpecker is roughly the size of a crow, making it one of the largest forest birds in North America. The pileated woodpecker is present year-round across Canada and the eastern United States. This bird showcases a striking coat of black feathers with white stripes across its neck, crowned with a red crest.

      For those curious, yes, this bird inspired Woody Woodpecker, a character I’ve never liked much. (It’s the maniacal laughter.) The woodpecker disturbing cars in Rockport may share similar traits or just be particularly aggressive. This determined woodpecker has been targeting anything that reflects, with one neighbor recounting that he was inside his truck when the bird shattered the window.

      “This time of year marks mating season, so all birds, not just pileated woodpeckers, enter a phase of aggressive, territorial courtship display,” explained Zoo Miami Communications Director Ron Magill to Today. “If they see their reflection, they don’t comprehend it’s just a reflection; they assume it’s a rival.”

      The woodpecker’s mating season extends until June, and Favaloro mentions that her neighbors have been inventive in safeguarding their mirrors, especially those lacking garages. They’ve resorted to folding mirrors in, covering them with bags or scarves—anything to deter the feathered invader from confronting a “competitor.”

      “It’s wildlife, so there’s not much you can do about it,” Favaloro remarked. As for the woodpecker’s chances of finding a mate, she joked, “This isn’t the best method to attract a partner. I doubt the females will be impressed.”

      Have a tip? Reach out to us at [email protected]