From how far away can you hear the pecking of a woodpecker?

It depends on the ambient noise level. On a quiet dawn, you can hear them from up to a half mile away, sometimes farther in mountains and valleys. Even when there are lots of other noises, the familiar staccato sound can be distinguished for some distance.

Some suburban woodpeckers mistake aluminum posts for trees, giving a unique "phone ringing" sound as they futilely hammer away.