My Denver Daughter (soon to be Michigan Daughter) called me out to come see something in the backyard.
At the corner, in the centre of the photo, there was a bird. It didn’t move.
We inched closer and it just blinked.
It was a northern flicker frozen in place. It just stayed there with its head held high, not moving, just blinking.
We inched closer and it turned its head away. If it doesn’t see us, surely we can’t see it either. Apparently, this is what flickers do when there is danger. Freeze.
We went a bit closer and it flew away. I guess frozen flickers have their limits too.
Always great to get a good flicker sighting. They are usually such busy birds. So beautiful when they fly, though. Hope all is well. Allan
They are delightful!
I thought this may be a glitch in the matrix.
😂
Isn’t that interesting. Apparently it decided that you weren’t a danger.
You must be down to the last days of packing. Good luck 👍
I think they do this when they sense that there may be danger. We are at the final stretchy, a few more days and we are outta here.
Like!
❤️
Impressive! Usually, birds would fly away as soon as you approach them, but this little fella stayed put! Perhaps it was due to being frozen in fear, as you wrote, but eventually, it flew from “danger!”
It’s a smart bird. I think the strategy is to freeze in place in the hope that they will not be noticed and and the threat will move on. Once I got too close it realized that the strategy didn’t work 🙂
What an interesting thing to witness – the freezing of the flicker in perceived danger.
It was very interesting to watch this clever bird!
One of my favorite birds. They’re fascinating to watch.
It was! I did not have many encounters with flickers before and it was really cool to watch!
Northern Flickers are such beautiful birds. Love all their colours.
They really are lovely birds!
How interesting. I guess we all freeze (at least for a second or two) when we’re afraid. Have a great Sunday!
Usually it’s the fight or flight instinct, but some animals freeze. I guess it works some of the times 🙂
I am going try freezing technique next time I sense I’m in danger of being nagged at by my child. I’ll let you know if it works. 😆 Seems like you are having a great time at your daughter’s. Best wishes with the move!
Thank you! Maybe you can teach T to freeze when he senses the danger of a tantrum creeping up on him 🙂
Haha I can try!
I just love observing birds and animals and their rather unique behaviour. Great picture story.
One can learn a thing or two observing animals!
I don’t think I’ve seen a northern flicker before. How fun to inch closer and closer until it flew away. Glad you had your camera with you to document it!
We never got them at our feeders when we lived in the Stouffville area, but I do see them in Sarnia. In Denver, they always seem to be around. I hope you are feeling well!
Thanks! We’re nearing the end of our vacation (and my second trimester). Camping and hiking has been a bit more challenging than I thought it would be, but it’s been such an amazing trip. I hope you’re able to make it to the Yukon someday to see it all for yourself.
Glad to hear all is well! SOunds like the day is coming up very soon. How exciting! I do hope to make it to the Yukon one day, it sounds amazing!