# Weasel hitches ride on a woodpecker. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 4, 2015, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171 "2015-03-04T03:15:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/1 "2015-03-04T03:15:17Z")
These amazing photos of a [weasel attacking a Green Woodpecker and being carried off on its back](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2977184/Stop-goes-weasel-Woodpecker-pictured-flight-small-mammal-hitching-lift-back.html) have been circulating on the net for a day or two. Of course, this has quickly given rise to a [bunch of parodies.](http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/animal-antics/story/incredible-photo-weasel-riding-woodpeckers-back-parodied-online-20) My favorite is the one with Putin. [Who knows where it will stop.](http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276272/Article/images/26113479/9588256-large.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/2 "2015-03-04T11:54:30Z")
That’s a really amazing picture; I stand in awe of the photographer who was quick-witted enough to grab this image - once in a lifetime experience. However, the parodies are much funnier, if less awe-inspiring… ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/3 "2015-03-04T12:05:57Z")
Cool picture. I’m surprised that the woodpecker could fly while carrying the weight of the weasel. ---
**Author:** ![Your\_Great\_Darsh\_Face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ac8455/32.png) [@Your\_Great\_Darsh\_Face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Your_Great_Darsh_Face)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/4 "2015-03-04T12:09:19Z")
European woodpecker or African woodpecker? ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/5 "2015-03-04T12:10:46Z")
> [@Your\_Great\_Darsh\_Face](#): > > European woodpecker or African woodpecker? European, obviously. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/6 "2015-03-04T12:22:05Z")
Uberpecker? ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/7 "2015-03-04T13:26:33Z")
> [@Your\_Great\_Darsh\_Face](#): > > European woodpecker or African woodpecker? Are you suggesting that weasels _migrate_? ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/8 "2015-03-04T13:39:44Z")
I would guess the weasel was in the middle of attacking the woodpecker when it took flight. He would have severed the spinal cord at the base of the skull. I would guess the woodpeckers neck may be a little sturdier tha most birds. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/9 "2015-03-04T13:48:04Z")
Falcooooorrr! ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/10 "2015-03-04T13:54:00Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > Are you suggesting that weasels _migrate_? Only of they can catch a flight. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/11 "2015-03-04T14:18:59Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > Uberpecker? The bird’s expression did look pained… ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/12 "2015-03-04T14:34:48Z")
[This is my favorite parody.](https://mediumlarge.wordpress.com/2015/03/03/the-woodpecker-the-baby-weasel-and-superheroes/) ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/13 "2015-03-04T15:28:20Z")
> [@SpazCat](#): > > [This is my favorite parody.](https://mediumlarge.wordpress.com/2015/03/03/the-woodpecker-the-baby-weasel-and-superheroes/) It wouldn’t even have to be an evil sponge! ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/14 "2015-03-04T15:43:29Z")
When I first saw that picture, all I could think of was, “Hey you f\*\*king weasle, get off that woodpecker’s back!” ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/15 "2015-03-04T15:47:24Z")
When I think of weasels (and I don’t often do) I don’t picture them being the size of hamsters. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/16 "2015-03-04T15:47:41Z")
I am reminded of an internet saying I ran across once. Eagles may soar but weasels do not get sucked into jet engines. Apparently that is not 100 percent true. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/17 "2015-03-04T16:04:53Z")
The woodpecker was lucky to weasel its way out of this dilemma. 😃 Is the weasel gonna be OK? ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/18 "2015-03-04T16:07:44Z")
Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It’s what separates us from the animals…except the weasel. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/19 "2015-03-04T16:30:19Z")
Well, this thread would clearly not be complete without [this song](http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=straighten+up+and+fly+right+youtube&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=7878C833AB55E2DDE5427878C833AB55E2DDE542). ---
**Author:** ![Oglomott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oglomott/32/3543_2.png) [@Oglomott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oglomott)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171/20 "2015-03-04T17:00:38Z")
Arnold Schwarzenpecker ?? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weasel-hitches-ride-on-a-woodpecker/714171.md?page=2)