Tension has been high between several species at the nest cavity tree. When we arrived yesterday morning this male Northern Flicker was inside the cavity and he spent considerable time enlarging the interior but a pair of Mountain Bluebirds took strong exception to his presence.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L II USM, not baited, set up or called in
It’s always very difficult to get two birds in the frame and sharp when one of them is in flight but I don’t think it’s always necessary. Here the reaction of the flicker to attack is obvious and we can see enough of the attacker at the top of the frame to understand what is happening.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L II USM, not baited, set up or called in
Here we see more of the much smaller but very aggressive male bluebird and even though he’s out of focus his intent is obvious.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L II USM, not baited, set up or called in
Eventually both bluebirds temporarily flew off and left the flicker in peace for a while so soon after this shot was taken he went inside the cavity and I could hear him pounding away as he enlarged it. Occasionally he would bring a beak-full of woodchips to the entrance and fling them outside. I’ll post some interesting photos of that behavior soon.
Ron
My understanding is that hole was originally made by a Sapsucker’s but other birds, including a Flicker and some Bluebirds have since laid claim to it. If so, Could that attack bird in the second frame, actually be the “Bluebird of Sappiness”?
Patty, I almost wish you hadn’t said that! It is soooooo bad! 😀 It especially hits home because my sister and I just passed our birthdays and the bluebird of happiness has been the subject of our cards to each other for more than 40 years…(she started it!)
Ron,
Terrific photographs on so many levels. Outstanding behavioral documentary, technical details, art, species identification – all that and they ain’t bad to look at either!
Sooo beautiful. Don’t know if I’ve mentioned this before or not, but i do always look at .. and appreciate … all the tech stuff. Thank you!!
What Sensational shots Ron, thanks for sharing!
Charlotte
Love the shot of the feathered (would-be) assassin. I am always fascinated by just how many birds punch ‘well above their weight’. Some times for protective purposes and sometimes I believe because they are just feisty termagents.
Another intriguing series. Thank you.
The second shot is one of the most beautiful images I can remember…especially beautiful for the amost ghost-like image of the threatening, super focused, Bluebird zeroing in on his target…
I really enjoy your posts and beautiful pictures. I wonder if the bluebirds are particular about size. Obviously the house would be much larger for the flicker family. Would the bluebirds then consider it too large?
It’s never easy to let go and let your contractor do his work. 😀
I hope these amazing images came from your recent camping trip…if so, it turned to be incredibly rich and rewarding!!! And, if so, I’m so glad you stuck it out…these have some of your best captures!!! (Even YOU like them!!!) Sorry, the devil made me say that…and the evil iPad printed it…..
I think the Flicker knows he is bigger than the Bluebirds, and thus remains [apparently] calm. But I’m not at all surprised that the Bluebirds would attack: I’ve been the target of Eastern Bluebirds dive-bombing anything that got too close to their nest box. I love getting to observe behaviors like these, even if it is second-hand observation. Sounds like this camping trip has improved greatly from how it started out. Glad to see that.
Two unbelievable shots!!! That second capture just blows my mind. WOW!!!
What a great shot of a Red-shafted Flicker! All the identifying characters are there for one to see, and then to top it off the actions of an aggressive Mountain Bluebird. I know it is called a Northern Flicker, but I have a hard time with taxonomists changing common names to fit some perceived notion, especially names like Long-tailed Duck, for Oldsquaw, etc.!
Many thanks for this series!
Wow, Ron – great captures. It has amazed me at the courage of smaller birds to attack much larger birds when it comes to protecting their nest, family and/or territory. I watch 3 eagles nests & have seen blue jays, mockingbirds, ravens & smaller raptors attack in the air & even in the nest of the eagles. They will literally ride their backs – mind-blowing!! Can’t wait to see more of your photos of the fight for the nesting cavity!! Also sounds like a trip that wasn’t starting out so well has definitely picked up!!