They drum when setting up territories for nesting. It should stop once they get settled. The louder the noise the happier the male woodpecker gets. I don't think pileated would do this, as they are shy around people. But red bellied and flickers do drum.
When pileated work on trees it can sound like axes hitting them!
Our neighbor had them attack their tin fireplace cover at the top of their house one year. It was a ferocious din! They built a fire in the fireplace and it drove the bird off.
We get little downys in the fall practicing on our cedar shingles now and then. Sometimes the nuthatches hide sunflower seeds there too.
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Weezie looking at petunias 8.25.2017
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