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Coexistence, Red-Bellied and Mockingbird
wvbirdwatcher

Coexistence, Red-Bellied and Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos, Melanerpes carolinus)

Haven't yet figured out bird politics or why the Mockingbirds have not been as persistent in chasing other birds from the feeders recently, but I was delighted to see this Mockingbird allowing this Red-Bellied Woodpecker to eat. This, after months of the Mockingbirds hogging the feeder for themselves!
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Habitat
meadow, farmland, horse pasture
Location
backyard, near Fort Ashby, WV
Date taken
1-20-15
Scientific name
Mimus polyglottos, Melanerpes carolinus
Equipment used
Olympus SP-510 UZ
delia todd
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
You're really seeing some action, aren't you Adele. Perhaps your mockers realise there's enough to go round... I dunno LOL. Maybe you need to put more feeders out to keep them all happy ;)

A couple of cracking feeder shots and a great tale to accompany them - thanks lass.
 
wvbirdwatcher
Thanks, Delia and Carann. Unfortunately, I have sad news to report. This morning, during the falling snow, one of the Mockingbirds chased the Woodpecker from both the feeder and the tree.
 
KC Foggin
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
Even my Downys go after the Mockers and more so the females of the woodies. Nicely captured standstill here ;)
 
wvbirdwatcher
Thanks, Sue & Simon, KC, and Stanley. It's so difficult to try to figure out birds' motivations for their behaviors!
 
Doc Duck
Supporter
There's probably some sort of territorial hierarchy. I'm thinking that if I were a mockingbird, I wouldn't want to get into a battle of beaks with a sapsucker ;)
 
wvbirdwatcher
Our Mockers are feisty and vicious. This morning, the Red-Bellied Woodpecker again tried to eat at the feeder. The Mocker went after him, and there was a fight. I saw a few feathers flying! The Woodpecker fled from the tree and landed on the utility pole. The Mocker followed him and landed on the utility wire. The Woodpecker hid behind the pole. I didn't see him fly off, but he must have done so because a little later I saw him feeding from the suet cake on the other tree.
 
D. Taylor
Supporter
Now that is a surprise usually, around here the mockers always chase the others away. Well taken moment Adele.
 

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Category
North America
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wvbirdwatcher
Date added
View count
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Comment count
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