Let's say you've put in a long day at work or school, and now you're home and ready to relax for a quiet evening.

You flop down on the couch with a cup of hot tea, get comfortable, and open up the latest novel you've been reading.

Just as you get immersed in your book, you're startled by this jarring sound.

You almost spill your tea. The sound, which seems to be coming from somewhere just over your head,

instantly got your adrenaline pumping.

What the heck is that?

You might think the most obvious, most parsimonious explanation would be that you've got yourself a poltergeist, or perhaps some gremlins are using a pneumatic drill in your attic.

But if we can assume that you live in North America, I can tell you with some confidence that your

poltergeist is actually a bird, a northern flicker, to be exact. The bird is up on your roof

where it was pleased to find a piece of resonant metal like on your chimney or gutter.

The northern flicker is a species of woodpecker. This one is drumming with

its beak on that piece of metal. The bird is trying to communicate with other flickers in the

surrounding area because it seems your roof is now part of this one's territory and it wants

everyone in the neighborhood to know about it.

Hello and welcome.

This is the Science of Birds.

I am your host, Ivan Philipson.

The Science of Birds podcast is a lighthearted exploration of bird biology for lifelong learners.

This episode, which is number 131, is all about Calaptis Oratus, the Northern Flickr.

This species is one of the most familiar woodpeckers and one of the most familiar birds in North America.

It's found year-round across the lower 48 in the United States, in forests, farmlands, and suburban

backyards.

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