We're at the Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve, Town of Grafton, Wisconsin, USA.
Another distinguishing feature of this male Northern Flicker is the black malar (stripe) on his cheek.
It's spring and the male's all consuming drive is to attract a female.
Looking spectacular in not enough, though. Finding a nesting site to offer the female is essential.
A preferred location would be 6-13 feet above the ground with a 3 inch opening. Last year's hole might be fine if it's available. But if she wants a NEW home, chiseling another hole will take some work.
Being woodpeckers, that task is possible.
A dead or decaying tree is chosen. The spongy wood fibers give way to repeated pecks. The pair will share this task of making a 13-16 inch deep cavity in the tree. It will be a little wider near the bottom to accommodate incubation and room for 5-8 hatchlings.
This place looks nice!
The male calls the female to inspect it.
The female Northern Flicker checks it out.
(Click any picture to enlarge.)
Finding the perfect location to raise the next generation takes careful consideration... is the site too visible... too low, too high... accessible to squirrels, crows or other predators.
Later that morning I watched a European Starling enter the cavity, possibly looking for a meal.
It left within seconds.
Given that European Starlings eat just about anything, including trash, an unguarded egg would likely go missing.
I revisited this site several times to see if the flickers were building a nest. I found no continuing activity. That leads me to believe they've turned down this location.
I'm assuming they are searching elsewhere for a more suitable home to raise this year's brood.
Allan
Credits:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds
The Sibley's Guide to Birds
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