The Dance

Male flickers (northern yellow shafted, Colaptes auratus) have been calling and 'posturing' around this hollow tree for a couple of weeks, proclaiming territory and beckoning a mate to set up 'housekeeping' with them. A female has shown up, and apparently chosen her paramour.

 

Here the male and female are doing a sort of 'dance' near the entrance to the tree cavity, bobbing and moving heads side to side.

 

Done