The call of the wild can lead to hostile and, sometimes, destructive actions by the local fauna. And it becomes more noticeable in areas where people also reside. In Rockport, Massachusetts, the wildin\u2019 wildlife<\/a> that is destroying car mirrors has been identified as a pileated woodpecker.\u00a0<\/p>\n Rockport resident Janelle Favaloro told People<\/a> that she caught the pileated pest in the act and shared her findings in a neighborhood Facebook group. Likely one of the first to realize who the car culprit was, Favaloro\u2019s post read: \u201cThere has been a vandal breaking vehicle mirrors. He is described as 18\u2033-24\u2033 tall, wearing black and white, with a red hat.\u201d<\/p>\n Neighbors reacted, commenting that they, too, found their vehicle mirrors broken but had been stumped as to the cause. \u201cSo it became a viral neighborhood thing,\u201d said Favaloro. \u201cThen we realized that he was basically canvassing the whole top of the hill we live on. It\u2019s pretty wooded up here, so he has claimed this as his territory.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t According to All About Birds<\/a>, this woodpecker is about the size of a crow, making it one of the largest forest birds in North America. The pileated woodpecker is found year-round throughout Canada and the eastern half of the United States. The bird features a striking suit of black feathers with white stripes down its neck. Its outfit is topped off with a red crest.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you\u2019re wondering, yes, this was the inspiration for Woody Woodpecker, whom I\u2019ve never been a fan of. (It\u2019s the maniacal laugh.) The fella attacking cars in Rockport might be of the same vein, or just super combative. The emboldened woodpecker has been attacking anything reflective, with one neighbor reporting that he was inside his truck when the woodpecker cracked the window.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis time of year is mating season, so all birds, not just pileated woodpeckers, but all birds are getting into a very aggressive, territorial courtship display,\u201d said Zoo Miami Communications Director Ron Magill to Today<\/a>. \u201cIf they\u2019re seeing the reflection of themselves, they don\u2019t understand it\u2019s a reflection; they think it\u2019s a competitor.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1745871968_118_hqdefault.jpg\"\/)
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