Caution, this diary contains animal-on-animal aggression. NO damage occurred to any animal.
The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the phenological patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. To have the Daily Bucket in your Activity Stream,visit Backyard Science’s profile page and click on follow.
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I wrote a Bucket on March 10th, 2024 containing the conflict between an Eastern Bluebird couple and a Northern Flicker pair that competed over the same nest site. Below is the short video of that encounter.
1:25 minute video
The Bluebird pair found another nest site and the Flickers took over the cavity. I was happy for the Flicker’s success (the Bluebirds also fared well) but I felt an uneasiness about the Red headed Woodpeckers returning. I wondered if the Flicker fledglings would be out of the nest in time.
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Most of you will remember that this particular nest was constructed over 10 years ago by the Red heads and the couple have raised chicks there every year. They have a solid claim to the property. Their tenacity will ensure their family continues to thrive.
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As predicted, the male Red head returned to prepare the nest for his mate. He found his home occupied and took steps to remove the interlopers. The first video shows the Red head removing the adult from the cavity.
58 second video
.
The technique the Woodpecker used was grabbing the Flicker by the bill and pulling it out of the hole. Bracing his body against the pole (and once the Flicker is out) letting gravity take them both away from the opening. The Woodpecker released his grip once they were a few feet from the entrance. The last of the video shows the Woodpecker resting and flexing above the nest. This allowed him to keep a vigil in case the adult returned and prepare his next attack.
I watched (and filmed) for several hours while the woodpecker handled the fledglings. The next two videos show the physical interactions between the two species.
1:19 minute video
.
1:06 minute video
.
I witnessed several interesting things about the Red heads strategy. The things I didn’t capture on film included: waiting on the shaded side of the opening to see if a fledgling would poke it’s head out (exposing it’s bill), tapping the side of the power pole to distract the fledgling within and flying in circles around the pole to observe the nest entrance from different angles.
As violent as the interactions were, the fledglings were evicted and from my observations, not seriously harmed. The next morning, the male Woodpecker entered the nest to clean it before his mate arrived.
40 second video
.
The couple that expect to raise chicks soon.
I caught my Bug of the Day while watching the Woodpecker and Flicker conflict. This butterfly has the most interesting name. Here is the Goatweed Leafwing — Anaea andria.
These excellent insects consume decaying waste. I took this photo last year when I learned about them.
I hope you’ll share any of your local sightings and discuss your observations.
I may be late to join the discussions because I am at work.