Woodpeckers are unique birds that are known for pecking on trees to find food and create nesting cavities. While they don’t have a traditional “song” like many other birds, woodpeckers do make a variety of sounds and calls, especially during mating season.
What sounds do woodpeckers make?
Woodpeckers make a variety of different sounds both to communicate with each other and to signal their presence on a tree or territory. The most recognizable is their loud, repetitive pecking on trees, which serves multiple purposes:
- Excavating nesting and roosting cavities
- Finding insect prey under bark
- Establishing and defending a territory
- Attracting a mate
In addition to pecking, woodpeckers have a range of vocalizations. Both males and females can produce short, sharp calls to signal alarm or stay in contact with a mate or offspring. During the mating season, woodpeckers may utter longer, more complex vocalizations:
- Drumming – Rapid bursts of pounding, done more for communication than excavation
- Rattling calls – Loud, fast series of sharp notes
- Whinnying – Loud, drawn-out cry, often descending in pitch
- Chattering – Softer mix of clicks, chucks, and whines
Do woodpeckers have a distinct mating call?
While woodpeckers make an array of sounds, there is no single call that is exclusively used for mating. The following vocalizations may serve as either a general territorial call or as a precursor to breeding:
- Drumming – Drumming is the most identifiable sound male woodpeckers make to attract a mate and defend a territory. The fast hammering on a resonant tree advertises the male’s presence and fitness to females in the area.
- Rattling – A harsh, rapid rattling or whinnying call can demonstrate a male’s dominance and signal readiness to begin nesting.
- Chattering – Softer chattering between a bonded pair helps maintain contact and coordinate breeding activities.
In addition to vocalizations from males, female woodpeckers may respond with their own sounds to indicate interest or display receptiveness at a nest site.
When do woodpeckers make mating calls?
The mating season for woodpeckers depends on the species and region where they live. In general, mating activities ramp up between late winter and early spring as temperatures warm.
- Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied – February to May
- Red-headed – March to early June
- Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied – February to May
- Pileated – April to July
- Northern Flicker – March to July
Males begin announcing their availability and suitability through increased drumming and rattling calls. The frequency and intensity of these calls reach a peak just before eggs are laid. Vocalizations between mates continue throughout the nesting process.
Why do woodpeckers make mating calls?
Woodpeckers utilize mating calls for a few key reasons related to reproduction:
- Attracting a female – Loud rattling and drumming allows a single male to broadcast his location, fitness, and readiness to breed to any females in the vicinity.
- Defending territory – Woodpeckers are territorial and mating calls help establish boundaries against rival males.
- Bonding with a mate – More intimate chatter and contact calls strengthen the pair bond between the breeding male and female.
- Coordinating breeding – Vocalizations help the male and female synchronize the start of nest preparation, copulation, and egg-laying.
The combination of striking visual displays like wing-flashing along with auditory signals allows woodpeckers to effectively compete for mates each breeding season.
Unique aspects of woodpecker mating calls
Woodpecker mating vocalizations have some special attributes that differ from the typical bird “song”:
- Made equally by males and females, not just males
- Performed outside of established breeding seasons as well
- Primary purpose is territorial defense, not just courtship
- Include non-vocal sounds like drumming
- Relatively simple in structure compared to melodious songbirds
Researchers continue to study the nuances of woodpecker communication. New insights help explain how their behavior and biology allow them to successfully flourish in forests and woodlands worldwide.
Examples of woodpecker mating calls
Here are some audio clips of common mating vocalizations from prominent woodpecker species:
Downy Woodpecker
[Downy woodpecker whinnying call]
The descending whinny or rattle of the Downy Woodpecker proclaims a male’s dominance and readiness to breed.
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
[Red-bellied woodpecker drumming]
One function of drumming by male Red-bellied Woodpeckers is to attract mates and mark territory.
Northern Flicker
[Flicker rattling call]
The Northern Flicker produces a loud rattle similar to the Downy Woodpecker during the breeding season.
Pileated Woodpecker
[Pileated woodpecker drumming]
The iconic, loud hammering of the Pileated Woodpecker can be heard up to a mile away.
Conclusion
Woodpeckers rely on a mix of vocalizations, drumming, and displays to attract mates each spring. While they lack a single distinct mating “song”, the sounds male woodpeckers produce serve the vital purpose of communicating territory and breeding readiness. Their unique calls reflect the solitary, tenacious nature of these adaptable birds.