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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jos Stratford" data-source="post: 1268558" data-attributes="member: 12449">It depends how long are the 'long periods' - it is very common activity if we are talking several minutes, up to ten on occasion. This activity is particularly common in response to the presence of a perceived threat, eg Sparrowhawk. The woodpecker will typically swivel round to the opposite side of the trunk (feeder as the case may be) and sit there still until the threat has gone. If a Sparrowhawk, for example, is sitting in a nearby tree (perhaps unseen by the human observer) the woodpecker can sit there almost forever, waiting till the hawk finally moves.If it is sitting there for hours motionless, she shoud take the bird's pulse, it is probably dead <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />Essentually though, the behaviour after the motionless period should be sufficient to indicate its general heath, if the bird seemingly 'recovers' and acts completely normally, then I would say there is nothing wrong. If sluggish, slow, etc, then prepare for the funeral.</blockquote>