Chaos in the Tree Tops!

Invasive European Starlings are known to have a negative impact on cavity nesting birds. Some of the Red-bellied Woodpecker pairs in Canatara Park have recently been battling with the aggressive Starlings. The following series of photos were taken over a 30 minute period as the very stressed Woodpeckers desperately tried to defend their nest site.

The Starling appears to be biting the woodpecker's tail feathers in the last photo. Despite the aggressive behaviour of the Starlings, the Woodpeckers seamed to be winning the battle! I expect the woodpecker parents will need to be ever vigilant as they work to raise a new brood later this spring!