Blackbird V Woodpecker

While waiting to capture Great Spotted Woodpecker landing and take-off at Stithians southern cut-off today I witnessed a territorial dispute between a male Woodpecker and a male Blackbird.

I would not have expected a blackbird to be of any threat to a woodpecker so I was a bit surprised when the sequence of events posted below were recorded.

The blackbird was incensed when the woodpecker threatened it and stood its ground for a few seconds but then took off and I thought that would be the end of it.

But this clever blackbird circled around behind the woodpecker and relaunched its attack in flight while out of reach from the woodpeckers powerful dagger like beak,   It then returned to its original location ready to stand its ground again

The Woodpecker seemed as surprised as I was at the feisty blackbirds stand but decided to exit the location in a sideways take-off and perhaps come back another time.

There is perhaps surprisingly not much in it when you weigh up the size and weight difference between these two birds but this particular wise old blackbird is probably used to fighting for its territory with all the other local male blackbirds on a daily basis.  

                                               Blackbird 1   V   Woodpecker 0