MikeDF on Nostr: Last Sunday, I was fortunate to observe some ecological interactions at an Oleaster ...

Last Sunday, I was fortunate to observe some ecological interactions at an Oleaster tree (i.d.'d by iNaturalist, but a more specific i.d. would be appreciated) drilled by a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (probably the one in yesterday's post). Sapsuckers and other woodpeckers are considered "ecosystem engineers," because their modifications to their environments create habitats for numerous other species. The sapsucker's sap-wells were a kind of natural bird-feeder, attracting warblers, kinglets, ants and wasps. The Sapsucker, warblers and kinglets fed on the sap and insects on the Oleaster, while Northern Phoebes, a Brown Creeper and other birds foraged nearby. Thus, the Sapsucker provided an especially valuable resource for migrating birds. There were also numerous inter-specific interactions between the birds. Here are a few of the main players.
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