In a strange twist straight out of a cartoon, a woodpecker destroys car mirrors — and not just one or two. In Rockport, Massachusetts, residents are scratching their heads after a rogue pileated woodpecker went on an unexpected rampage, shattering mirrors on 25 different cars.
The chaos began when local resident Janelle Favaloro spotted the feathery vandal hammering away at her vehicle. Confused and a little amused, she shared her discovery in a neighborhood Facebook group — and the story quickly took flight (pun absolutely intended).
Experts chimed in: during mating season, male woodpeckers often mistake their own reflections for rival birds. Fueled by territorial rage, this lone vigilante took it upon himself to obliterate any “opponent” he could find — mostly shiny, innocent side mirrors.
Despite the costly mirror carnage, Rockport’s community has mostly kept a good sense of humor about the bizarre assaults. Some residents have begun draping towels over their mirrors or parking indoors to avoid becoming the next victim of the mirror-smashing menace.
Wildlife specialists advise patience. “Once mating season ends, he’ll probably calm down,” one local biologist said, hopefully.
Until then, drivers in Rockport might want to double-check their mirrors — or risk getting pecked into the repair shop.
Do you like this story? Here’s another.