Flickers

While out in the boat, we saw two male northern flickers. They appeared to be having a discussion over territory, but it was fairly civil.
We like the top photo because it looks like one very wide flicker.

 

 

Northern Flicker

Here's a photo of a Northern Flicker. They have not been very frequent visitors, but we've been persistent and patient.

Northern Flicker

We shot these photos of the northern flicker on a stump. He spent some time eating insects from the dead wood and some posing on the stump.

Northern Flicker

A photo of a northern flicker on the top of a telephone pole.

Northern Flickers Again

The two nortnern flickers came by near dusk today. They stayed for about 30 minutes and had a duel in two different trees.

Northern Flicker Dance

Here is a video of the Northern Flicker courtship dance. Mike posted it two ways. A high quality video uses an active-x control next and the regular Blogger video with a flash player below. The blogger should work on more computers, but the quality isn't as good. If all else fails, the URL of the higher quality video is http://www.new-jersey-birds.com/Flickers.avi

Northern Flickers Dance (Higher Quality)

Northern Flickers

Aren't these some spectacular birds!

I was getting mundane chores done at home today, but everything came to a complete halt when in my peripheral vision I spotted some commotion in the yard. At first I said out loud, Awesome! Thankfully I then said, Get the camera, idiot.

It's possible there were three, two males and a female. This one on the ground appears to me to be a female because it is lacking the black line off the base of the bill, and the pair in the tree may be both males since they have that black line. I got a video also of the two in the tree (which Mike will have to post later), and I assumed it was a mating dance. Our field guide says when done between same sex it is for competition for territory or a mate. Leave a comment please if you can help with the identification.