Mount Vernon Northern Flickers

by Kathy
(Mount Vernon, WA)

We have bird feeders hanging in our plum tree outside our kitchen window. We have a variety of birds who come to feed, but were delighted to see a couple of Northern Flickers recently. They don't stay long at the feeder and at the slightest movement they are gone. I understand better why they don't stay long at the feeder since they are looking for ants. We only see them once every couple of days, but watch for them all the time. They are truly gorgeous birds and we feel it is a treat to see them even momentarily.

Besides the Flickers, we have Chickadees, Juncos,finches, doves and either the Hairy Woodpecker or the Downy Woodpecker (they both look very similar). We have Robins and hummingbirds in the spring also and because we are in the Northwest, we get to see the eagles come in to eat the salmon that die after spawning. Periodically we have Stellar Jays come into our yard as well. It is fun and entertaining to watch the comings and goings of the birds