Woodpeckers are known for their signature drumming on trees, but they actually have a diverse repertoire of vocalizations for different purposes. Their calls allow them to communicate with mates and offspring, defend territories, and signal alarm. Understanding the various woodpecker calls can help birders identify species by sound alone.
Drumming
The rhythmic tapping of woodpeckers hammering on trees with their beaks is called drumming. Both male and female woodpeckers drum, but males do so more frequently and vigorously, especially during the breeding season. Drumming serves several functions:
- Territory announcement – Loud drumming proclaims a woodpecker’s claim to an area.
- Mate attraction – Females are drawn to the robust drumming of fit males.
- Coordination of pairs – Mated pairs may engage in drumming duets.
- Nest excavation – Soft drumming helps the birds chisel out nest cavities in dead wood.
The drumming patterns vary by species. For example, the downy woodpecker drums in short bursts while the northern flicker produces longer drumrolls. Drumming can occur year-round but peaks during spring as woodpeckers declare territories and court mates.
Rattling
A very fast drumroll that sounds like a high-speed machine gun is known as rattling. Both sexes rattle, but males do so most often. Rattling has several functions related to territory defense:
- Chasing rivals – Woodpeckers may rattle at intruding birds to drive them away.
- Preparing to fight – Rattling may serve as a warning to trespassers before physical combat ensues.
- Celebrating a victory – After seeing off an intruder, the victorious woodpecker will rattle triumphantly.
Rattling is used by many woodpecker species, including downy, hairy, red-bellied, and red-headed woodpeckers. It occurs year-round but increases during the breeding season when territory boundaries must be reinforced.
Whinnying
The whinnying call sounds like a high-pitched whinny or squeal. It is primarily made by male woodpeckers during the breeding season. Whinnying has multiple functions related to courtship and mating:
- Bonding with a mate – Males may whinny softly to their female partner as a way of strengthening the pair bond.
- Mate guarding – Males will whinny while following their mate closely before and during egg-laying to ward off rivals.
- Copulation call – Whinnying may be used as a vocalization just before the act of copulation.
Well-known woodpeckers that whinny include the northern flicker, pileated woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, and red-headed woodpecker. This intimate call is not used in aggressive or territorial contexts.
Squawking
Harsh squawking sounds are used by woodpeckers of all ages and both sexes when alarmed. Several types of danger can trigger excited squawking:
- Predator sightings – Woodpeckers squawk to alert others in their flocks to hawks, crows, snakes, and other predators.
- Territorial fights – Angry squawking accompanies aerial fights between competing woodpeckers.
- Nest threats – Adult woodpeckers squawk loudly when nest sites are disturbed by predators or competitors.
- Handling by humans – Squawking is a common response to being captured and banded by ornithologists.
The alarm squawk is loud, abrupt, and hard to miss. It signals imminent danger to take cover or flee.Species known for their harsh squawking include the pileated woodpecker and northern flicker.
Whining
Whining denotes a pleading call that communicates need or submission. In woodpeckers, it is often given by young birds begging for food from parents. The nestlings emit rhythmical, whining cries from cavities that grownups recognize as a hunger plea. Adults respond by delivering food. Whining calls taper off as the young mature and learn to feed themselves.
Whining can also be used by adults of either sex when harassed by a stronger competitor. The weaker bird whines while retreating to signal it is not a threat. Pileated, downy, and hairy woodpeckers are among the species known to whine on occasion.
Chirring
Several species in the Melanerpes genus (which includes the red-headed and red-bellied woodpeckers) have a special vocalization known as chirring. It consists of a long series of high-pitched notes that plateau at the end. Chirring is thought to function as both a territorial proclamation and courtship display during the breeding season. Some key insights about chirring include:
- Males chirr more frequently than females.
- Chirring is mainly done during the day.
- Chirrs can last from a few seconds to over a minute.
- Birds may chirr duets with their mates.
- Chirring is done while perched rather than during flight.
The chirring call carries well through both forested and suburban habitats occupied by these two woodpecker species. Chirring season peaks in spring but may extend into late summer.
Twittering
Woodpeckers also make various twitters, chirps, and chatters. These vocalizations seem associated with foraging and feeding. Specific types of calls in this category include:
- Food call – A sharp “pik” given by adults leading young to food sources.
- Contact call – Quiet notes exchanged between parents and fledglings to stay in touch.
- Chatter – Noisy mix of twitters, whines, and mutters during feeding.
These social calls serve to coordinate activities and stay connected. Most woodpecker species use twittering but the acorn woodpecker is known for its especially rich vocabulary of twitters. Twittering occurs year-round and requires being close by to hear.
Screeching
Screeching is an aggressive call used by some woodpecker species in conflicts. It is different than the alarm squawk due to having a grating, tearing quality. Some characteristics of screeching include:
- Given by both males and females when fighting at close quarters.
- Signals intense hostility between the combatants.
- Screech-fights may escalate to grappling with feet and bills.
- Occurs near territory boundaries and potential nest sites.
- The aggressive screech is not a mating call.
Well-known woodpeckers that scream when sparring violently include Lewis’s woodpecker and the ladder-backed woodpecker. Screeching occurs sporadically but may peak in early spring.
Squealing
Squealing refers to high-pitched whines and whimpers young woodpeckers emit when begging insistently for food. Key features of begging squeals include:
- Given by nestlings and fledglings of many woodpecker species.
- Intensity correlates with hunger levels.
- Parents try to curb excessive squealing by ignoring it.
- Squealing decreases with age as offspring become independent.
The nest cavity and surrounding area amplify the loud begging calls. Squealing starts as soon as chicks hatch and continues through the post-fledging period until juveniles learn to feed themselves.
Tapping
All woodpeckers tap their bills against surfaces to excavate nests and find food, but tapping can also serve as communication. For example:
- Mates may tap quietly together when roosting in a cavity.
- Parents tap near nest holes to induce fledglings to emerge.
- Fledglings tap back as they prepare to fly from the nest.
- Birds may tap bill tips together as a friendly greeting.
Tapping as communication is generally softer than drumming. It serves social functions like strengthening bonds, signaling location, encouraging desired behavior, or expressing affection. Tap messages can occur year-round.
Conclusion
Woodpeckers have an impressive repertoire of vocalizations spanning drums, rattles, whinnies, squawks, squeals, chirrs, twitters, screams, and taps. Different species make distinct sounds that ornithologists use for identification. The various calls serve purposes like defending territories, attracting mates, bonding pairs, begging for food, and sounding alarms. Understanding the language of woodpecker calls provides insights into their secret world.