May 22, 2009 - 2
Cool sightings of the week:Last Sunday, I was watching the peanut feeder next to the window and there was a red-bellied woodpecker who seemed to be eating contentedly. A few moments later I could see another red-belly eating at one of the sunflower seed feeders about 25 feet away. Well, this red-belly in front of me continued eating peanuts, but spread his wings and made the feathers on his head flare up as I've never seen before. The red-bellies are usually the dominant bird on any feeder, but not usually the entire feeder area. This bird knew the other bird was nearby and was getting territorial. In fact, within seconds it flew to the other feeder, scared away the other bird and returned to the peanut feeder near the window and all seemed fine. Then, suddenly, the other red-bellied woodpecker was there, right next to this one, on the feeder and trying to take its place. The battle was on, as the two birds puffed out their wings and chests, pecked at each other fiercely, and flared their big red heads until it reminded me of the clowns at a circus. This lasted for about ten seconds before both birds flew away. A few moments later peace returned to the feeder as the small and unassuming downy woodpecker ate quietly. Either way, catching The Battle of the male red-bellied woodpeckers from the bedroom window this week was very cool!
Heard on WDVR FM every Friday at 3PM during Anything Goes!