Woodpeckers peck metal primarily to create loud, resonant sounds that serve as drumming for two main purposes: to establish their territory and to attract mates. Metal surfaces amplify the sound more than wood, making it an effective way for woodpeckers, especially males during the spring breeding season, to communicate and compete. This behavior is more common among urban woodpeckers that have access to metal structures like chimney caps, gutters, antennas, and metal poles. They are not pecking the metal for food, nor are they typically able to damage it significantly; their intent is to make as loud a noise as possible to send signals to other woodpeckers.