This woodpecker wasn't in the mood for a sermon

In church yesterday, just as the minister began to talk, a banging began on top of the church roof, and continued off and on through the first half of her sermon.

She finally burst out laughing, saying that perhaps the bird had already heard this pitch last advent season.

I doubt it was this bird (above) a downy woodpecker, which I see, shyly hiding around the trees, or the big guys- pileated woodpecker- but more likely a flicker (right), which did the same thing last spring on the flashing in our house. Sounded a bit like a small jackhammer set to periodic bursts.

I learned later it's the male's way of attracting a mate, whoever bangs the loudest, wins the female.

Pictures, sans banging, courtesy of Seattle Audubon