Woodpeckers are known for drumming on trees—but what happens when they start attacking cars instead?
Homeowners across parts of the U.S. are grappling with an unusual and puzzling issue: aggressive woodpeckers targeting vehicle mirrors and windows, leaving behind cracked glass and confused car owners. It’s not a cartoon — it’s real life.
In Riverlea, Ohio, Stephanie Gallucci discovered this the hard way. On the morning of April 19, she found a woodpecker stubbornly perched on her car’s rear window. “Hey, buddy. I’ve got to drive somewhere. Can I have my car?” she asked the bird, who stared her down before eventually flying off to a nearby sycamore. What she didn’t know then was that this feathery encounter was just the beginning.
Bird vs. Car: A Suburban Standoff
The next day, Gallucci noticed her car’s side mirror was cracked. Her husband, Neal, had no idea how it happened. Before they could make space in the garage to prevent further damage, the woodpecker struck again—destroying another mirror, then targeting the second family car.
The Galluccis, who moved to the peaceful, tree-filled village of Riverlea two years ago, weren’t the only victims. Neighbors reported similar damage, all believed to be caused by the same territorial woodpecker.
“The bird’s pretty cool,” Gallucci told The Columbus Dispatch, “but, yes, it’s done some property damage.” Now, the neighborhood is on alert, trying to shield cars from the avian vandal.
Another Woodpecker Wreaks Havoc in Massachusetts
Ohio isn’t alone in this feathered mystery. Over 800 miles away in Rockport, Massachusetts, another pileated woodpecker has been causing similar destruction. More than 20 vehicles have been damaged, according to local reports.
The pileated woodpecker—known for its striking red crest and bold black-and-white coloring—is North America’s largest woodpecker, measuring nearly 20 inches long. It’s the same species making trouble in Riverlea.
Rockport residents have started giving the bird a reputation of its own. Janelle Favaloro dubbed it “the pileated pillager,” while Mike Foster, whose truck window fell victim to the bird’s beak, joked that the culprit “is looking at 30 years to life right now.”
Why the Obsession with Mirrors and Glass?
Experts say these woodpeckers are likely mistaking their reflections for rivals, especially during mating season. According to AllAboutBirds.com, woodpeckers drum to mark territory and attract mates. Usually, this behavior tapers off once the breeding season begins. They also peck to build nests, find insects, or stash food.
But when reflections on glass seem to signal an intruder, the birds go on the offensive — sometimes with expensive consequences for car owners.
