Every morning, I get some exercise by walking a few blocks for the daily papers. On side street, I used to hear this REALLY LOUD banging sounds echoing through the morning air... So, I walked a bit out of my way and on top of a metal street lamp, a woodpecker was standing with his feet braced against the metal, and then BANGBANGBANGing his head against the round metal cover of the lamp.
During certain times of the year -- now for instance -- the bird is out there almost every morning. I have no idea what the bird is accomplishing -- or thinks he's accomplishing -- but this animal _seems_ like a candidate for the bird version of the Darwin Awards...
Mark W.