I know this may seem odd to a lot of people, but birds, yes woodpeckers too,
can't smell.  There are many many wives tales about not touching a nest or
the mother will abandon it etc...., but not true.  Woodpeckers either see or
hear the insects they go after.  Just my two cents.

West Texas Mark

Jerry wrote:
We've had woodpeckers try to break into an overwintering shed - my guess,
they could smell the bees inside since the hole in the wall was by a vent.

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