Quote:

It is clear that Great Spotted Woodpeckers know a great deal more about the mechanics of photography and its timing than is credited to them by most.



What I have noticed previously and again today is that they definitely react to eye contact - one flew up when I was standing outside in the sun just reading and took no notice of me... until I looked at him. I had not moved my head or body at all, but as soon as we made eye contact he flew. I concur with Milo about birds of all kinds - they react amazingly quickly, and also (I believe) based on very subtle cues.