What key environmental factor dictates the success of a woodpecker's drumming in a suburban woodlot versus a contiguous forest?

How the surrounding environment carries their communication signals

The function of drumming extends beyond simple vibration; it is a crucial form of communication used for defining territory and attracting mates. The effectiveness of this acoustic signal is heavily dependent on the soundscape of the bird's immediate surroundings. In environments characterized by high structural complexity, like dense, highly fragmented suburban woodlots where numerous obstacles (buildings, fragmented trees) exist, sound waves can be easily scattered, absorbed, or masked, resulting in poor signal propagation. Conversely, in quieter, more contiguous forest settings, the sound transmission is generally clearer and travels further without interference. Therefore, the local acoustic landscape—the physical properties of the environment affecting sound carry—is a vital variable in successful settlement and signaling, independent of the mere presence of trees.