This afternoon Karen Strong and I observed an interesting nest location for Northern Flicker. Well, technically it is only a probable nest site by Breeding Bird Atlas standards, as we observed birds in the cavity and then copulating near the cavity (probable codes N and C in BBA terms). But clearly the birds are interested.
-- This was in a drain hole located near the top of the Kohl's store facade in the shopping center at the far south end of Kipling Pkwy near C470. A photo below shows the building facade with a "fake" guard tower-like decorative element and what I think are drain holes located near the roof line to the right of that. One shows the female sticking her head out.
We heard the male calling from a perch on a cable within the "guard tower" and then saw him fly to and enter a drain hole. Then the female came to the hole, he left and she entered. He flew to a small nearby parking lot tree for a minute or two. Then she flew out and went to the "guard tower" and he flew over and landed near her. They then copulated there and she flew off out of view while he remained in the "guard tower". The circular cement/plaster drain hole had been modified and somewhat enlarged.
So we did not confirm nesting there just yet, but that hole was plainly of interest and they copulated right nearby. Future observations may confirm things. I know flickers nest in holes in buildings (like houses, often wooden structures), but I've never seen an apparent nest on a large shopping center building overlooking a large parking lot.
David Suddjian
Ken Caryl Valley
Littleton, CO
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAGj6RoqYYoqpimnF2g%3Df0ijeQfHf6b-p%2B043womVrHmfpGOJsw%40mail.gmail.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment