A heartwarming incident for Christmas reading

Adult Red-headed Woodpecker

How many times have we seen starlings oust weaker birds from their hard-earned roost-holes and nest holes in Central Park. I'd never heard of a starling on the losing end of a battle until this report from Ben Cacace's blog: Http://novahunter.blogspot.com He is referring to the uncommon Red-headed Woodpecker that has been roosting in Riverside Park, just outside the building I live in at Riverside Drive and 92 Street, for the last week. It may stay until spring.

Woodpecker vs. Starling

There was an incident between a starling and the woodpecker. Around 4:10pm a starling was perched near the freshly made roost hole created by the woodpecker. When the woodpecker flew a short distance away from the hole the starling beelined it to the hole and made itself at home.

Almost immediately the Red-headed Woodpecker flew to the edge of the hole, peered in a few times and then entered it and somehow came up with a starling. When the intruder was brought to the edge of the hole both birds started to fall and just before hitting the ground they separated. The starling flew back up to a perch near the hole.

The woodpecker returned and perched at the hole's edge. The woodpecker peered in it a few times and then entered but left a few moments later. The starling was still in the same location above the hole. At this point the woodpecker decided to fly at the starling a few times which eventually drove it off towards the north. The starling never returned to bother the woodpecker.

Roost Hole

I went to the site tonight [December 24] to see if it was possible to find out where the woodpecker would roost for the night. I've followed the roosting activities of wintering Red-headed Woodpeckers in Central Park and found this a rewarding activity.

Tonight the event took longer than I thought it would. In the past, I recalled the Red-heads would go to roost well before sunset. In those days I would watch a Red-headed go to roost and then would have plenty of time to arrive at the Long-eared Owl roost to watch them fly out.

Tonight at 4:38pm, 5 minutes after sunset, the Red-headed Woodpecker entered the hole the starling attempted to take and after dipping its head in and out roughly 30 times it entered for the evening. The woodpecker was visible for a short time afterwards since it poked its head out a few times giving three by-standers great looks in the waning light. Also at the post fly-in were Mike Alcamo and Marie Winn.

Postscript from Marie

It seems to be December 25th. Have a merry day.