Ownership of the cavity was yet to be decided.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
These are older photos of a pair of Mountain Bluebirds who were competing with a male Northern Flicker for a nest cavity in an aspen in Clark County, Idaho. It was early in the breeding season and “ownership” was still up in the air.
Both bluebirds repeatedly landed at the cavity to check it out (this is the female) and twice I saw her bring nesting material to the cavity but at least one of those times she left with the nesting material without entering the cavity.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
The male performed his own inspections. Here he’s leaning out of the way to allow her access as she approaches. Sometimes she’d enter the cavity with him still clinging to the outside, but other times…
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
he vamoosed just before she got there.
These photos are over seven years old and when I stumbled across them last night and realized I’d never posted them before I decided they were interesting enough to rate a post of their own. I hope my readers agree.
Ron
Gorgeous birds. And I’m a sucker for the dramatic tales and action shots. Glad you found them.
I am too, Granny Pat. Thanks.
All too reminiscent (and better behaved) than real estate inspections here. I am very glad that you a) found these shots and b) posted them.
Thank you, EC. Interesting comparison to (human) real estate inspections.
Well, thank goodness you hadn’t culled them right out of your cache of tens of thousands of images—and how fortunate for all of us you should run across them again! The birds and the narrative to go with them are definitely worth sharing. As are the comments already posted here. Why I come back, day after day, so much to learn and clever observations to enjoy! 😎
Good to know you come back to my posts, Chris.
Nice photos Ron. Very pretty birds that we don’t get to see here in Prescott very often. I have no photos of one here.
I’m thinking they would have a very difficult task fighting a Northern Flicker for possession of the cavity.
I think so too, Everett – even though bluebirds are known for their feistiness. And even though it was still two against one because there was no female flicker there yet.
“These photos are over seven years old …”
Beauty and superb photographs never age.
I agree, Wally. At least not digital photos… 🙂
Nicely told. 😀 I like to think that the Flickers were there as the builders. “It’s a great neighborhood. Perfect for raising the kids.” “And the price can be right. Let’s talk.”
Arwen, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it wasn’t flickers that originally excavated the cavity,
Nice series. I’m glad you posted it. I’m assuming the bluebirds ultimately won. They can get very aggressive. We had a pair of Western Bluebirds (the first time they have ever been seen in a non-rural neighborhood around here) that successfully nested in a box we put up. They showed up and first tried to drive out a pair of Black-capped Chickadees from their box even though the hole is too small for bluebirds. (The chickadees persisted and raised a brood). We quickly put up a box that they immediately went to. By the next day, starlings and a flicker were also checking out the box. The bluebirds drove them away and eventually raised 3 young successfully. I didn’t realize just how aggressive bluebirds really were until watching this pair. A first for us in town.
Interesting story, Dan.
This time I believe it was the flicker that won. I base that on what I said about them in an older post about these birds, although seven years later I don’t remember what evidence I had to make me think that.
One wonders who excavated the nicely formed cavity. I can see why it’s highly sought after real estate.
BotW says “Males… sometimes engage in symbolic nest-building, in which they go through the motor patterns of bringing material to the cavity, but either carry no material or drop material on the ground en route or at the cavity entrance.” You won’t hear any bird/human comparisons from me.
That’s interesting, Lyle. But in this case it was the female that carried nesting material to the cavity but didn’t take it inside.
Beautiful birds. Interesting shots.
Though it be a “butt” shot, I really like that last one. A lot going on there.
Thanks, Michael. I agree about that last one, despite the derrieres.
Definitely worth posting! Perhaps their persistence won the home.
Thanks, Sandie.
Wonderful morning blues. Your photos reminded me why blue is my favorite color! Thank you for helping me appreciate birds and for sharing your fine art!
Much appreciated, Mary.
Did the Flicker ever show up while you were there ? I’m wondering how the “ownership” is decided in such circumstances ?
Yes, he showed up several times Kris. The bluebirds and the flicker alternated in inspecting the cavity.
Prime realestate it seems! 😉 #3 is beautiful IMO. 🙂 Captures the action well..
Thanks, Judy.