ML343648331

Age and sex

Adult, Unknown sex - 1

Media notes

Ponderosa snag from 2011 fire was the center of territorial and courtship behavior involving three birds.

Observation details

From high in Ponderosa two birds drooped down together falling as they cling together separating and flying off near ground. This was apparently a territorial conflict between two males. Another pair appear to be in a territorial dispute one of them persistently chasing the other. The pursuing birds repeatedly drives the pursued bird off of perches. Action seems to center on one snag with many nest cavities. The third bird, possibly a female, comes frequently to that tree. Wing out display seen at least once and Circle Flight Display ending near nest cavity seen several times. Birds were active in an area of Ponderosa pine snags still standing from the 2011 Track Fire. They have been active in the area since at least 2017, though the number of standing snags is diminishing; very few are left.

Technical information

Model

COOLPIX P950

ISO

1600

Focal length

268 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/6.3

Shutter speed

1/2000 sec

Dimensions

2398 pixels x 1810 pixels

Original file size

823.95 KB