As a general rule in life if something is bigger and meaner than you are it is best avoided. There is a lot to learn for a young woodpecker. What to eat and where to find it. Who can be bossed on the feeder and who to give way to. This youngster was happily trying out the seeds on the feeder when a bully turned up.
The woodpecker's initial plan was to stand its ground but a wood pigeon (600g) looks menacing when you are 75g.
The pigeon wasn't in the mood for sharing and began to chase it round the other side.
Then the woodpecker slipped over the edge and ended up dangling from the tray.
After a very undignified couple of minutes it fell off.
Once on the ground it tried to look unconcerned but was keeping a wary eye on the pigeon.
The pigeon, meanwhile, was giving to woodpecker a menacing stare to discourage it from flying back up.
I am fascinated by the way the birds can tell the difference between a large grey bird flying towards them (a wood pigeon) and large grey bird flying towards them (a sparrowhawk), processing the information fast enough to make a split-second life and death decision on whether to stay or flee. Once you know it is a wood pigeon you have a bit longer to decide what to do.
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