Can a woodpecker do this....
Contributors to this thread:Wisconsin
From: dc-archer
28-Apr-16
I came across this while walking through my land in SW WI. I have never seen anything like this before. I thought it might be a racoon or some other critter trying to get to bugs. The tree was dug out to a good 6 inch depth at the bottom. Someone told me it was probably a woodpecker that did it. Either that or sasquatch ;-)
From: MF
28-Apr-16
Woodpeckers or a Pileated woodpecker would have no problem doing this, especially if the tree is dead.
From: skookumjt
28-Apr-16
That is definitely a bird looking for insects or larvae. Could be any number of species.
From: Pete-pec
28-Apr-16
Pete-pec's Link
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newsvideo/viral-video/11614695/Watch-Woodpecker-caught-drilling-through-an-entire-tree.html
Pileated woodpecker for sure. I've watched them tear into dead elms in the past, and they leave the exact same pile of shavings.
From: Zinger
28-Apr-16
It might be excavating a hole for a nest?
From: RutnStrut
29-Apr-16
Yes they can. I do property maintenance. You should see what they do to some of the houses.
From: Zinger
10-May-16
https://www.facebook.com/grasshopper4313/videos/10152322726957254/
I hope this link works, it shows a woodpecker doing exactly what the OP shows.
From: dc-archer
13-May-16
Dang that is one motivated bird!
From: MuskyBuck
03-Jun-16
Found this scouting in April. A pileated woodpecker sure is doing a number on this cedar.
From: Zonks32
07-Jun-16
You should see what those little b@st@rds did to the cedar on my house the year after I bought it.
Two of them made dozens of holes in just a couple of days. After that, it was an easy decision. Hardie Plank.
I'd much prefer to have kept natural wood on my home, but there's too many peckers in my neighborhood.
