For once, let the woodpecker win

This morning I was looking out the window on this rather bleak and gray day, heavy with the promise of crappier weather to come and the bane of everyone’s existence; snow. Then on a branch holding a bird feeder, I saw a small fight break out.

Squirrel vs Red Headed Woodpecker

In my wasted youth I recall games like Mortal Kombat and watching the scene before me I pictured a screen overlay stating “FIGHT!” and the squirrel and woodpecker were at opposite ends of the branch. Facing each other. Unyielding.

Now, let me be clear on one thing, I’m not a fan of woodpeckers. They have destroyed a portion of my exterior walls on my house, this will not be a cheap fix in the spring when it is no longer drearily cold and punishing to leave the safety and warmth of my home, but I digress. I’m not a fan of those birds. Or, really, any bird that is not producing eggs for me to eat. I do kinda miss my chickens. Turns out that everyone likes chicken, especially hawks and coyotes. Jerks.

Anyway, back to the fight scene. I was watching this unfold for just a few seconds. The steely gaze of the unblinking, unflinching eye of the red head and the twitching tail of the squirrel trying to scare off the bird. This was cheap entertainment ya’ll. But then, those bushy tailed tree rats teamed up and cheated! Two more of them came up from behind the woodpecker. What nerve!

We have no less than five bird feeders out there (figured if I’m feeding the woodpecker they will not be interested in pecking holes in my siding) and these three tree rats decide they are going to fight this one bird for the prize of some seeds.

So I did what any fan of justice would do, I opened the window and voiced my concern. I’m not proud of it. I insulted the mother of those squirrels and questioned the legitimacy of their birth. Yep, sure did. Scared them off though, and the woodpecker took off too. He returned a moment later while the squirrels kept running out of the yard towards the woods.

The woodpecker and I shared a moment, eyes locked. I nodded and he started eating.

Peace, it seems, between the woodpeckers and I has been purchased with some seed, a feeder, and some insults at squirrels. Whatever works I guess.

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