I'd be guessing about your remaining question. You probably know that woodpeckers are mostly insect eaters; they could have been eating ants in the video. Sparrows are mostly seed eaters, but their diets overlap. When you looked up Northern Flicker, did you notice that the birds (like yours) with the black stripe coming down from the beak on each side are males? Also, your birds are "Yellow-shafted" (as opposed to Red-shafted.) See if you can get a glimpse of yellow on the underwing.
Thank you Elis 1k. I think I finally see a another picture that looks like mine, the Northern Flicker woodpecker. I searched for hours and never found this, thanks so much!
Now my remaining question is why did the other sparrows (i think) want to hang out with them on the ground? Was it protection or now i`m wondering if it was a food inspired encounter? The two species not being enemies found a smorgasbord to share?
Allow me to explain. I can`t recall seeing this bird before and what caught my eye was the 50 or so sparrows that stayed close to them the whole time. We have a problem with crows and bluejays. However once the bird hits the tree, I can see it is adapted well to being on the side of a tree (like a woodpecker). If you know what this is I`d love to have the answer!
NORTHERN FLICKERS!!!!!!! NORTHERN FLICKERS!!!!!!!!!!
emraldYE 1 year ago
I'd be guessing about your remaining question. You probably know that woodpeckers are mostly insect eaters; they could have been eating ants in the video. Sparrows are mostly seed eaters, but their diets overlap. When you looked up Northern Flicker, did you notice that the birds (like yours) with the black stripe coming down from the beak on each side are males? Also, your birds are "Yellow-shafted" (as opposed to Red-shafted.) See if you can get a glimpse of yellow on the underwing.
Elis1K 3 years ago
I remember the bright yellow under the wings. didn`t pay attention to the marks on beak. Thanks again for your help.
Pauny11 3 years ago
Two Flickers. Nice! Yes, woodpeckers.
Elis1K 3 years ago
Thank you Elis 1k. I think I finally see a another picture that looks like mine, the Northern Flicker woodpecker. I searched for hours and never found this, thanks so much!
Now my remaining question is why did the other sparrows (i think) want to hang out with them on the ground? Was it protection or now i`m wondering if it was a food inspired encounter? The two species not being enemies found a smorgasbord to share?
Pauny11 3 years ago
Allow me to explain. I can`t recall seeing this bird before and what caught my eye was the 50 or so sparrows that stayed close to them the whole time. We have a problem with crows and bluejays. However once the bird hits the tree, I can see it is adapted well to being on the side of a tree (like a woodpecker). If you know what this is I`d love to have the answer!
Pauny11 3 years ago