American town targeted by unusual vandal: Aggressive woodpecker smashes car windshields

(Patria) - The town of Rockport in the US state of Massachusetts has been targeted by an unusual attacker - an extremely territorial woodpecker, which has smashed more than 25 vehicles in the area.

Rockport resident Janelle Favaloro managed to photograph the bird as it attacked a vehicle with its beak, which is as powerful as a jackhammer.



"We have a vandal in the neighborhood. He's 45 to 60 centimeters tall, dressed in black and white, with a red cap," Favaloro joked on social media.

She also stated that she knows of at least 25 cars damaged by the bird, most often attacking mirrors and windows.



"The woodpecker landed on the wipers of our camper in the yard and stared at its reflection. We thought: 'You know what, he's definitely the one who smashed the mirrors' - she told NBC Today.

Some residents have tried to protect their vehicles by covering mirrors with plastic wrap or sweaters while their cars are parked.

Mike Foster stated that the woodpecker smashed his passenger side window while he was sitting in his pickup truck.

"When it landed on the window, I thought my girlfriend was knocking on the glass. I thought, 'Uh oh, I'm in trouble now.' The bird looked me straight in the eye for 30 seconds," Foster told The New York Times.

Matthew Fuxjager, head of graduate studies in ecology and evolutionary biology at Brown University, explains that the woodpecker's behavior can be attributed to the mating season, during which males become extremely territorial.

"It's a fierce bird, very powerful. Biomechanically - their beak is the equivalent of a hammer - Fuxjager said.



Ron Magill, communications director for Zoo Miami, agrees that the mating season should be considered the main reason for the attacks.

Magill adds that it is logical for the bird to target reflective surfaces.

"When they see their own reflection, they don't realize it's a reflection. They think it's a rival," Magill explains.