Brad
Member
we have many species of birds in our valley and late spring is one of the best times to observe their activities. Among the returning Bald Eagles, Canada Geese, Northern Ducks, Swans and numerous others, one that stands out and not just because of its relatively small size, is the dumb and brash resident Flicker.
Most locals consider the Flicker to be a real nuisance, an irritating pest, because of its penchant to bore thus not only making a mess but also inflicting hard to repair damage to their property. Nothing really seems to work when trying to prevent the raucous Flicker from returning to have another peck and continue to enlarge ugly holes, or start new ones. Chasing it back to the woods where it can resume its much appreciated role as a tree doctor doesn't appear to work either. It preens its plumage, sharpens its beak, regroups and comes back to make another unsightly mess.
Looks like its favourite time to hit is when least expected, when folks are in their REM stage. Needless to say it is amazing that a little creature can make such a racket. The noise is comparable to machine gun fire or a pneumatic hammer as the high decibels echo unpleasantly throughout the community. One would think that the Flicker's tiny brain cannot possibly endure the repeated blows but alas there is a soft cushion in its diminutive cranium that insulates it from potential harm caused by the negative vibrations.
The Flicker also seems to very much enjoy hammering metal covers of street lamps or metal roofs, providing a more melodic (read ear splitting) sound compared to the sound hollow trees make when struck. The whole ordeal looks very laughable and fruitless, because chances are that even if the metal should yield to the sharp yet tiny beak there would be no juicy reward inside.
But, is it the hollow sound or an ulterior motive that often drives it to attack sturdy metal? Well, according to a local native savvy in bird matters, the Flicker has an insatiable need to attract adoration from its mates! If a cognitive quality could be associated with a bird brain, apparently our feathery foe falsely feels others will pay attention because " the Louder the Noise the Bigger my Pecker !! "
Many don't believe the Flicker can reason but relies on primeval instincts instead. They will say that primitive actions have to be dealt with using crude and blunt methods. Others will say live and let live and may feel that way till chosen as a target. Is it possible the Flicker is capable of thinking about anything else, other than its own ... errr ... beak??
If not, ignoring it is not an option, it must be strongly encouraged to flock off.
see the friggin Northern Flicker
Most locals consider the Flicker to be a real nuisance, an irritating pest, because of its penchant to bore thus not only making a mess but also inflicting hard to repair damage to their property. Nothing really seems to work when trying to prevent the raucous Flicker from returning to have another peck and continue to enlarge ugly holes, or start new ones. Chasing it back to the woods where it can resume its much appreciated role as a tree doctor doesn't appear to work either. It preens its plumage, sharpens its beak, regroups and comes back to make another unsightly mess.
Looks like its favourite time to hit is when least expected, when folks are in their REM stage. Needless to say it is amazing that a little creature can make such a racket. The noise is comparable to machine gun fire or a pneumatic hammer as the high decibels echo unpleasantly throughout the community. One would think that the Flicker's tiny brain cannot possibly endure the repeated blows but alas there is a soft cushion in its diminutive cranium that insulates it from potential harm caused by the negative vibrations.
The Flicker also seems to very much enjoy hammering metal covers of street lamps or metal roofs, providing a more melodic (read ear splitting) sound compared to the sound hollow trees make when struck. The whole ordeal looks very laughable and fruitless, because chances are that even if the metal should yield to the sharp yet tiny beak there would be no juicy reward inside.
But, is it the hollow sound or an ulterior motive that often drives it to attack sturdy metal? Well, according to a local native savvy in bird matters, the Flicker has an insatiable need to attract adoration from its mates! If a cognitive quality could be associated with a bird brain, apparently our feathery foe falsely feels others will pay attention because " the Louder the Noise the Bigger my Pecker !! "
Many don't believe the Flicker can reason but relies on primeval instincts instead. They will say that primitive actions have to be dealt with using crude and blunt methods. Others will say live and let live and may feel that way till chosen as a target. Is it possible the Flicker is capable of thinking about anything else, other than its own ... errr ... beak??
If not, ignoring it is not an option, it must be strongly encouraged to flock off.
see the friggin Northern Flicker
