AboutBluebird Bob Walshaw Expertise Questions about setting up and monitoring Eastern Bluebird houses. This includes where and how to put up houses, trouble shooting, fighting predators, and helping other small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Carolina Wrens, etc. Also a free 20 page Bluebird book is available by sending your mailing address to walshaw1@cox.net
Experience 15 years with an 100+ box Bluebird trail which has been accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail. Talks on Bluebirds to many organizations.
Organizations North American Bluebird Society, Audubon Society
Publications Bluebird Magazine, Birds and Blooms, Oklahoma Today, etc.
Education/Credentials BS, MBA, Cornell University Bird Biology course
Awards and Honors Blue Cross Ageless Hero, Red Cross Everyday Hero
Question For some strange reason, a woodpecker is pecking at the stucco trim on my house. Can I install a realistic plastic owl to scare it away?
Answer Hi Alex. This is not an unusual situation. You are lucky it is pecking on the stucco and not punching holes in wooden areas. (Flickers do this in cold weather to get into a building). Woodpeckers will peck on many hard materials, even metal, to make noise to attract mates or to deflect predator attention from their mate when she is on the nest, etc. Fake owls only work very temporarily as the birds soon learn that they are not dangerous. I would suggest that you get a pressure nozzle for your hose so you can spray from a distance and if you are persistent you will discourage him. Good luck. Bob.
