A More Frequent Flicker

The Northern Flicker that I posted about earlier in the season, has (much to my delight!) become a frequent visitor to the backyard feeders. He is still a bit skittish, but occasionally his desire for food will surpass his uneasiness around the camera and he will bless me with chance to snap a few shots.

Yesterday was one such occasion.  I saw him hanging around the edges of the yard when I was refreshing the seed and it didn’t take long for him to venture closer.

Then he landed on the deck rail (which has a seed tray tucked behind it courtesy of hubby’s handiwork!) and proceeded to give a “don’t-even-think-about-it” glance to a watchful Red-winged Blackbird who had also been watching me fill the feeders.

The Blackbird kept his distance, though not without a voice of protest…

…and the Flicker proceeded to feast.

Unlike my Blue Jays, who pack their pouches and then fly off to partake of the bounty elsewhere, this fellow pecks the peanuts apart, moves them from beak to belly, and then repeats the process.

He perched on the rail, using his tail for support, and took his time eating.

Then he turned and flew to the large Oak at the back of the yard and leisurely preened his feathers.

I am so hoping that this fellow meets a female Flicker and brings little baby Flickers to the feeders in the not so distant future. 🙂

Published by kathydoremus

Amateur nature "photogriter." One who still marvels at majesty.

20 thoughts on “A More Frequent Flicker”

  1. I used to have Flickers in my backyard, I’d love to have them again. Excellent pictures Kathy. 🙂

  3. He is beautiful – you got some great shots. The Red-Winged Blackbirds are a menace to the other birds sometimes, but I love their call. When I hear their call, I know Spring/early Summer has arrived (still a while to get there though).

      1. Yes they are, and I caught one terrorizing a robin and her babies several times and chased it away. First he was trying to snatch the eggs, then the hatchlings. They all survived as I saw them and documented their growth every day when I passed underneath their nest. But that RW Blacbird was persistent – they are quite territorial. He even pecked a Canada Goose who was leading her goslings out of the Creek onto land – pecked her on the neck, no reason, just in his territory!

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