Subject: [Tweeters] Flicker calls
Date: Mar 7 08:23:15 2007
From: camelama - camelama at speakeasy.net



This spring I've noticed something about my neighborhood Flickers.

As they come to my suet feeder, they call out every step of the way.

It starts down the block from their favorite telephone pole - then every short
flight they make, they stop and call out that distinctive one note call. (What
DO you call that loud call they make?)

By time they get to the suet feeder, there have been 10 or more calls in a few
minutes time.

Wouldn't a bird want to be quiet about the fact that you're heading to a
certain spot where they will be a bit more vulnerable? (I assume that is the
case, vulnerability at a feeder?) Why advertise where you're going SO
obviously? Is this to make sure their mate can find them? Is it to warn off
any predators? Warn off any other suet feeders?

The behavior is really quite striking (and has even managed to capture the
attention of my non-birding neighbors, who have all "adopted" the Flickers now
as *OUR* birds), and just now being chased down the block by that call on my
way in from my walk, I wondered again and said Darn it, just ask Tweeters!

Why all the fuss about "I'm going to the suet feeder"?

Susan Collicott
camelama at speakeasy.net
Ballard, WA