Northern Flicker by Michael R. Duncan on Capture Kern County

Northern Flicker

During ground foraging, this male takes a quick peek around his surroundings, making sure he doesn't become the next meal for a raptor.

Michael R. Duncan
commented over 4 years ago

Survival of the smartest, and the fit. This bird looks pretty fit to me, very healthy. Iv'e seen them with torn up beaks, probably some kind of disease.
Wayne Wong
commented over 4 years ago

Must be a bummer to have to eat under duress.
Michael R. Duncan
commented over 4 years ago

Thanks Richard, he was keeping his eye out for hawks, a pair of males were feeding together, the more dominant one would chase this one off everytime he dug an insect up out of the leaf litter.
Richard Newland
commented over 4 years ago

Cool pose on this one~Looks like you got some nice bird action over the weekend~