Showing posts with label fighting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fighting. Show all posts

Monday, April 27, 2015

Domestic arrangements

While Spring migration is in full swing, some birds are settling in for nesting season...or trying to. At Turtle Pond in Central Park, a pair of Downy Woodpeckers are excavating a nest hole in a willow tree. Saturday, we saw a Hairy Woodpecker come around...and the Downys chased him away. Elena got a photo of the action.

Downy vs Hairy
Woodpecker dispute (Photo by Elena Gaillard)

Meanwhile, on the pond's shore directly below, a pair of Mallards was browsing. A second male flew in--and then scooted right back out. The male of the pair chased the interloper all around the pond, hanging onto his tail.

Ed Gaillard: birds &emdash; Duck duel
take that, you bounder!

Things were a little calmer away from the water. Singing was everywhere, as males advertised for mates. Passing migrants sang:

Ed Gaillard: birds &emdash; Pine Warbler singing, Central Park
it's been a great Spring for Pine Warblers in the Park.

Resident birds sang as well, some not so musically,

Ed Gaillard: birds &emdash; Red-Winged Blackbird singing, Azalea Pond
whaddaya mean? I sound great!

while others seemed possessed by the spirit of Al Jolson.

Ed Gaillard: birds &emdash; Starling singing, Central Park
I'd walk a million miles for one of your smiles