People Can't Believe the Damage One Woodpecker Did to This Tree
Most people know woodpeckers peck at trees, but few realize just how much destruction one bird can cause over time. TikToker That Language Teacher has a male pileated woodpecker living in her yard, and after showing viewers one tree that had clearly become the bird's favorite project, people were stunned by the damage it had left behind.
What makes the video especially wild is that at first, the hole in the tree honestly doesn't seem that impressive. But at the end, she shares a photo showing the final damage, and that's what's making viewers' jaws drop.
@that_languageteacher He's beautiful but he's ruining my trees #maine#pileatedwoodpecker#birdsoftiktok#getoutside#wildlife
original sound - That_LanguageTeacher
That Language Teacher admitted in the caption, "He's beautiful, but he's ruining my trees!" He sure did a number on that one...but that's not the only one. In a separate video, she shows the damage he's done to another tree in her yard, though it's not nearly as bad.
It probably won't surprise anyone to learn that the video has gone viral, with more than 12 million views and nearly 20,000 comments. People couldn't believe how much work the woodpecker put into that tree!
Related: Rescued Baby Great Horned Owl Gets Put Back in a Tree-and Everybody's Cheering
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Why Woodpeckers Peck Trees So Aggressively
Did you know woodpeckers can peck an astonishing 8,000 to 12,000 times a day? That sound can become pretty frustrating if a woodpecker decides your yard contains its favorite tree. But the nonstop tapping may not even be the worst part; it's the damage they can leave behind.
According to Organic Plant Care, the main reason woodpeckers drill into trees is to search for food. They're usually hunting insect larvae hiding beneath the bark or feeding on bugs trapped in tree sap.
Woodpeckers often start by targeting existing holes or crevices where insects may have entered the tree. If they don't find anything there, they use their tapping to locate hollow or weakened sections where larvae are most likely hiding.
Oddly enough, woodpeckers can sometimes be helpful warning signs for homeowners. Sporadic holes across a tree trunk, bark stripped away, or bark scattered around the base of a tree can indicate the tree is already infested with insects or beginning to die.
If you're hoping to discourage woodpeckers from hanging around your yard, famous handyman Bob Vila recommends using shiny reflective objects like mirrors or aluminum foil, along with wind chimes, pinwheels, or even decoy owls to help scare them away.
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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM.