Northern Flickers in Fencing Duel

After hearing some woodpecker drumming nearby and only getting an obstructed look at someone working on a dead tree limb, I was about to give up seeing anything more. But when I moved to the other side of the tree, I saw a pair of Northern Flickers perched near one another, and every so often they'd start bobbing their heads in unison.

At the time I suspected this might be a courtship ritual between a male and a female, but I now believe this was a fencing duel between 2 males. It sounds like they do this without making physical contact, so it's mostly done to impress a nearby female rather than a physical attack to drive off a rival. No woodpeckers were harmed during this duel, except possibly to his ego.

Apparently loops and figure-8s are considered impressive moves during these duels. Though there could have been 1 nearby, I didn't personally see any female swooning over the impressive dueling display.

April 5, 2022 at Duke Farms
Photo 186782748, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

April 5, 2022 at Duke Farms
Photo 186782722, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)


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