Bird Feeder Wars

After the latest cold snap and snow, the bird feeder war began at Stuart McCausland’s feeder in the Brigadoon neighborhood in Virginia Beach.

Among several battles, the grackles launched an attack against the red-bellied woodpecker and the noisy blue jay let the grackles have a piece of its mind.

Against much larger odds, the red-bellied woodpecker was a brave gladiator and stood  up to the intimidating purple grackle in every sortie, according to McCausland.

“Mostly when a larger bird flies in, the other birds (except for the doves and wrens) generally scatter, “ He wrote.

“But in the last couple of days the red-bellied woodpecker pair (especially the female) have held their ground if they were already at the feeder.”
  
And in McCausland’s photos, the grackle looks like it really has been practicing its menacing stare in the mirror.  It's as if the bird is saying, "Oh, really?" McCausland said. 

I wouldn't stay around if man or beast looked at me that way.

Pin a medal on the red-bellied woodpecker!

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