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Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Battling Woodpeckers

This post will have to be a two parter because there are too many pictures and these birds did this all in two parts. If you look closely at this first picture you will see two female downy woodpeckers. They are females because the lack of red on the back of their heads.

When I first saw them they were in the air fighting only about six feet off the ground, very low or about the height of an adult human. I wasn't sure if they really liked each other or were really angry at each other until I could find that red spot, or lack of red. The lack told me what they were up to.

In the picture the two birds still seemed to be staying close to each other and watching the other very warily.Each kept circling around their tree and trying to get into a good place to get an advantage over her opponent.

At one point they were both on the same tree. Look very close. At the time, I was sure the bird behind the tree here was a male because of the way she kept flapping her wings. I thought it wa a male making a mating display for his new girlfriend, but boy was I wrong. I guess this was more likely a display of aggression.

The bird in front was just trying to avoid the fury of the second bird. Here she is trying to look around and see what her attacker is doing. All of this happened about 6 paces in front of me. The pictures aren't the best only because the birds were moving so fast.

So what do you think? Let me know if you think I'm wrong? Maybe I just missed the red head of a male. maybe this really is a display of avian amour and not feathered fury. I've been wrong plenty of times before. but maybe I'm completely right.

More pictures of this fight are coming tomorrow.


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12 comments:

  1. john bainMay 4, 2011 at 5:32 AM

    I think perhaps there is a big, fat juicy grub in that tree and they both want it. How did you manage to get these photos? Do you wear camouflage clothing? I do enjoy your blog. Thanks

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  2. Out on the prairieMay 4, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    Interesting shot, I have never seen a battle by them.

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  3. Wild_BillMay 4, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    If the male is trying to be romantic he's going to be in for a big surprise! Not the best way to impress the ladies!

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  4. AnnMay 4, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    hmm perhaps one was protecting a nest?

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  5. Rick (Ratty)May 4, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    @Don't unplug your hub
    I was just lucky to be in the right place to get the photos. The birds flew down right in front of me. Animals do seem to come right up to me at times though.
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    @Out on the prairie
    It's the first time I've ever seen anything like this as well.
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    @Wild_Bill
    I doubt there was any romanticism involved, but I'm not sure what it could have been except that or as fight.
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    @Ann
    It may have been a nest. One of them sure did seem angry.

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  6. jeanlivingsimpleMay 4, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    Ratty, Usually it is the males that fight. I have only seen a female Northern Cardinal fight her on reflection in a window. She had a nest nearby. Did you notice a nest hole in that area?

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  7. NoypiMay 4, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    We don't have this bird from where I am.. :D it's cool..

    Love the cartoons.. :D

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  8. SharkbytesMay 4, 2011 at 7:21 PM

    I have never seen two woodpeckers do this, so you'll have to tell us all!

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  9. SparkleMay 5, 2011 at 2:34 AM

    I don't know; all I can say is that all three of us cats here are female and we have quite a few slapfests! So I would not be surprised if it were two female birds fighting.

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  10. AnonymousMay 5, 2011 at 5:13 AM

    That must be fantastic to see them fight so close! You did got great pictures of them!

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  11. RNSANEMay 5, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    How interesting. It looks like they weren't even worried about your presence, Ratty! I can't imagine getting so close to them!

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  12. GinnymoMay 6, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    Awesome when you get to see activity like this!

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