Birds in the back yard

[roony]

Nope, Downy Woodpeckers, so named because of the trees they take down.

[Scenic]

Well it is a rare occasion for me to see one. Maybe once or twice a year. I think they are a beautiful bird and have their place in nature like most other non invasive animals. To each their own though.

Beautiful birds without question.  If they were not so destructive I would love to have them.  We have cedar siding and they love the stuff.  Once they start a hole you can't get them to stop.  They try boring a hole right below the eves for nesting.   We also have trees that they have destroyed.   Everyone says "they won't peck on anything that don't have bugs in it".  That is complete BS...My son has one that pecks on a stainless stove pipe.   He loves that thing.  We have one the pecks on our deck light.  How do they explain that?   Yep each to our own.

[Scenic]

I saw several trees like this during deer season tbat were absolutely torn appart.  I assumed it was piliated peckers.

That is exactly what that is from!

[roony]

Probably a matter of how big the population is where you live. I'm fond of shooting Cottondale rabbits and woodchuck on sight. Like I said, it's very rare for me to see a Pileated.

[fishwidow]

I’ve got holes in my little barn, my shed, and my house.  I see occasional pileateds, but I’ve never seen one damaging the buildings. It’s downys, hairys, redbellies, and even nuthatches. I’ve had a redbelly the last few years that goes after drainpipes and even windows. Nothing discourages them. I’m considering cement or steel siding.

We’ve got ash trees that with emerald ash borers that attracts the peckers, too. They’ve killed some that had to be taken down. I’ve got three left with some damage and I’m treating them in early spring to kill the borer larvae. That seems to help.

[Scenic]

Probably a matter of how big the population is where you live. I'm fond of shooting Cottondale rabbits and woodchuck on sight. Like I said, it's very rare for me to see a Pileated.

Pileateds in my yard within 15 minutes it's no surprise to see 3 or 4 of them pretty much at any given time.   The ones pecking on the house I know for a fact were and ummm they are no longer pecking on the house.   You can always tell when they are Tearing stuff up.  There are CHUNKS everywhere.

[glenn57]

I have a personal hatred towards blue jays!

[tangle tooth]

      Them blue jays aren't my favorite either
 But I'd rather have them than starlings or grackles.