Thursday, April 18, 2019
They’re back! So beautiful those Flicker Woodpeckers, and such nuisances. One year, long ago, I ignored a Flicker’s hammering until seeing clearly that the bird had drilled a huge hole high on the side of my house. That hole stood out for years until finally a house painter repaired and covered it.
Afterwards and always upon hearing the Flicker’s distinctive hammering, I try to determine a direction it’s coming from, and if it seems near my house, I hurry over there, waving a stick, jacket, or towel, and yelling for that bird to go!
The thing is, they remember where they’ve been working and may return to the site. So, knowing they’re back, I stalk around my property, at-the-ready to try and frighten them away, while at the same time enjoying each sighting of the absolutely gorgeous birds.
The Flicker’s voice is as distinctive as its appearance. I’m not sure how to describe well enough its loud, single-note call that ends with a distinctive drop in sound. A visit to the Cornell Lab’s terrific bird site explains that a woodpecker’s drumming session continues for about 25 beats, before the bird slightly shifts away to start a new beating series. Cornell Lab explains that a woodpecker’s drummings are the communication equivalents of a songbird’s singing.
Ah, and mostly happily, they’re back!
Dear Friends, have a wonderful day. Diana
Diana's Morning Blog 