By Holly Rammer and Rodrik Ngowi, Related Press
Rockport, Massachusetts (AP) – Rockport residents have a historical past of combating invaders, however not this time.
Through the battle of 1812, the cities within the tiny fishing village threw rocks of British troopers, utilizing their socks as slingshots. Now they merge rubbish baggage and towels over the aspect mirrors of their automobiles to guard them from a harmful and decisive woodpecker.
In the previous few weeks, the fowl has damaged greater than two dozen mirrors and not less than one aspect window of the car. However residents take the violence in stride.
“Everybody laughs effectively for it,” mentioned Ben Favaloro. “No person desires the fowl hurt. He’s at all times welcome.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-6sawlmzug
Favaloro, who has lived within the neighborhood for practically 4 a long time, mentioned he had seen the informal woodpecker on the aspect of the homes years in the past and final summer season eliminated a number of bushes that had been broken past the restoration. However attacking glass is a brand new phenomenon.
“Initially, we simply observed that every one the mirrors had been corrected. Plainly there could also be a toddler within the neighborhood he was strolling, pushing the mirrors down,” he mentioned. However then his daughter-in-law observed roughly the 21-inch (53-centimeter) tall woodpecker of Favaloro’s truck pecking within the aspect mirror.
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Ben Favaloro poses to a SideView substitute mirror on his pickup truck after the unique was damaged by a cheater on the prime earlier within the month, Monday, April 28, 2025, in Rockport, Massachusetts (AP Picture/Charles Krupa)
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Ben Favaloro poses to a SideView substitute mirror on his pickup truck after the unique was damaged by a cheater on the prime earlier within the month, Monday, April 28, 2025, in Rockport, Massachusetts (AP Picture/Charles Krupa)
Given their enormous measurement, the sloping woodpeckers are sturdy sufficient to interrupt the mirrors, however such conduct is “undoubtedly unusual,” says Pamela Hunt, a senior biologist for the safety of birds in New Hampshire Auduben.
“Many birds will likely be aggressive in opposition to reflections in mirrors, however I often do not hear about woodpeckers,” she mentioned. “They often do not peck their opponents, they chase them round.”
She mentioned the woodpecker might be “just a little silly” and tries to guard her territory and scare what she sees as a contest. The harm coincides with the mating season for piloted woodpeckers and the resident Barbara Smith mentioned she would deal with “very small woodpeckers” round, though she hoped they’d not be so harmful.
“You sprout the woodpeckers should do what the woodpeckers do,” she mentioned. “Success, woodpecker.”
Favalo mentioned the woodpecker and media consideration he attracted was a enjoyable distraction from all the pieces else that’s occurring on this planet.
“This small city of Rockport I dwell in is among the most safe communities round,” he mentioned. “I believe that is most likely one of many greatest crimes of years. It is one thing humorous, nevertheless it’s good too.”
Rammer reported from Harmony, New Hampshire.
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