Red-bellied Woodpecker vs Starlings Nest Battle

A male Red-bellied Woodpecker has completed the nest excavation but soon finds himself involved in a Starling hostile take over battle. The male Red-bellied does win the battle but he loses the war, as you will see.
If you enjoyed this video, you may want to view Red-bellied Woodpecker family affairs.

[@robbflynn4325]

Had a similar battle in our garden. After a temporary starling takeover of the nest hole the RBW is rightfully back with a female, now looking forward to seeing some baby woodpeckers!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Wow, you told a fascinating story. I also have a narrated movie about such a war, but my "battle footage" is more distant because the war was fought in the air. Great job!

[@callicordova4066]

aerial combat

[@amycooper4828]

Bummer. I spent three months protecting my purple martins' backs from starlings. My neighbor came by once to twice a week to toss out the blue eggs, until the starlings eventually gave up. Sad thing is, the starlings don't know they're invasive; that honor goes to the human who thought it would be a good idea to release all of Shakespeare's birds into Central Park. Btw, I have a video of a red-bellied trying to enter a hole already occupied by a grey squirrel. Squirrel won that one!

[@buttercup9903]

Are you expecting congratulations for your cruel actions?? Another disgraceful human

[@eschwarz1003]

poor guy, worked so hard on that home

[@edhelium6931]

I watched a very similar event unfold. I had been watching the Red Bellies for weeks, when the starling arrived yesterday to attempt the takeover. I had to leave, and when I returned the starling had occupied the nest hole. I never saw the woodpeckers return, but the starling is not in residence today either.

[@outwiththem]

AND YOU DID, NOTHING. THAT IS CALLED A COWARD IN MY FLORIDA.

[@dianecrumbley90]

outwiththem say what? He’s not the bird patrol.

[@chateaupig826]

@@outwiththem In this video the person filming does nothing either , it's up to nature to battle it out , people merely observe and relate the goings-on . . Starlings like rats are here to stay I'm afraid . Catch a few , kill a few. Like people it makes no difference to the numbers

[@outwiththem]

@@chateaupig826 - That Lazy and Coward Attitude is what make those areas songbirds lose half or more of the songbirds to Those PEST starlings, squirrels and Crows. The Lazy Cowards LIKE YOU, didnt do anything againts those pest and now they are surrounded by PEST, instead of Songbirds as their brave grand parents did before. Since the 1980's, Songbirds have been decreasing a lot in USA due Lazy Cowards dont hunt The Pest Above at all. That also raiced the Lime Disease of those areas to double of the 1980's.

[@chateaupig826]

@@outwiththem lets try doing something about the 7 billion apathetic pest humans using , discarding , polluting and destroying everything in their path then maybe nature will find a way to return to its former glory because with us around nature doesn't stand a chance

[@austin1839]

Every time I watch a video where a Starling is killed by a raptor I smile.

[@outwiththem]

Hawks dont like them as much as american songbirds. Hawks kill mostly nicer tasting doves, pigeons even Blue Jays and yes Cardinal Birds..

[@jxggerxfinn2013]

@@outwiththemohh that’s why they don’t go for starlings often. Must taste like sh*t

[@davescopes249]

And the starling put a red cap on and hooked up with the female woodpecker. Lol.

[@daveshaw9344]

Sad to see an invasive species muscling out a beautiful native bird

[@ethanwilliams4559]

Depending on what state you're in, it's hunting season year round for invasive species so if you see one, happy hunting.

[@Red-Tempest]

@@ethanwilliams4559 yup. I hunt feral cats, starlings, collard doves, and a bunch more other invasives.

[@jxggerxfinn2013]

@@Red-TempestI hope you’re humane with the feral cats. Also be aware not all cats outside are feral, alot of them have homes and are indoor/outdoor cats.

[@markr.1984]

I saw this happen in in Indiana as a kid but with flickers and red-headed. We had red bellied but I never saw an attempted starling takeover with a red bellied. I'd help the native woodpeckers out as much as I could by shooting the starlings with .22s or pellet rifles. Starlings are an invasive non-native and so aren't protected by law anywhere in the US. I took advantage of this and therefore helped both woodpeckers and bluebirds. Didn't seem to make a dent in the starling population though, go figure. Too bad they can't all be killed. The Latin name for starlings is "Sturnus Vulgaris" and we get the English word vulgar from vulgaris. Very telling that naturalists or ornithologists named them that!! They really are vulgar!!

[@samuelkulp2618]

Hi Mark, I agree that Starling are vulgar and I would love to get rid of them. And by the way I did eliminate this particular starling.

[@stefaniaslovat]

Now, the question is:,,How could you win any war without winning the battles? ‘’

[@dlighted8861]

Those starlings are tough but I thought the male woodpecker would win easily.

[@katarinadicamella]

Like so many relationships...

[@bennysarafa6774]

It the first few seconds of the video, it is like the red belly censored him from saying red. I smile went that happens.

[@callicordova4066]

damn starlings

[@jaylenebarton4043]

Id starve to death before id eat a starling!!! Id have a gag a thon!!! Yukky yuk!!!

[@petr-podrouzek]

Very nice, good job :-)

[@hasanraja1440]

ভালো, nice video

[@denny1329]

I hate starlings

[@Redpanda1214]

Why?

[@citrinecolubrid3939]

@@Redpanda1214 They are invasive little pests from Europe brought over here by settlers and as you can see by the video, they steal native birds' nests, as well as spread disease in their massive flocks and damage crops.

[@Redpanda1214]

@@citrinecolubrid3939 oh I see. Like sparrow in my country brought by Spain when they invade my country long time ago

[@gonesquatchingaming3850]

@@citrinecolubrid3939 They were actually brought over by Shakespeare fans who wanted the birds referenced in his works to be living in NY Central Park.

[@gonesquatchingaming3850]

@Diego Armando Where did you hear that? (I don't mean that in an arguing manner, I am genuinely asking.)

[@joohsay]

So basically the starling came back and took over the condo. Thus winning the war. Lol #invasivespecies

[@SKKEarth]

Nice video big brother.Beautiful woodpeker bird.

[@jurassicsmackdown6359]

I love starlings. Theyre pretty, they sound nice, and can even mimic other things! Ive seen people have them as pets and they can talk Shame theyre invasive...

[@billhosko7723]

like you... but you can stay?....

[@markr.1984]

Shame I can't kill more than I do.

[@foxxwallace7137]

I saw this in my backyard and hated starlings ever since.

[@edgarsolis4917]

Quien ss quedó con el nido?

[@TheReefRobber]

I just subscribed. Starlings need to go!

[@outwiththem]

THAT STARLING IS A GREAT TARGET PRACTICE ITEM..

[@gregsmith3410]

what a shame. .all that hard work for nothing.

[@khanhlamthu22]

Xin chào chúc suc khoe binh an ❤

[@discmotoslots]

the feathers are flying harder in the comments section. making pop-corn...

[@lintaozheng]

what does you mean that the male Red-bellied does win the battle but he loses the war?

[@lintaozheng]

@Ash314 Thank you for answering!

[@sarahstewart9694]

I saw this happen this year the woodpecker and his women whooped there you know what’s. It was kinda funny. My husband and I love the birds feed them, give them homes, watch out for them but when House sparrows or starlings come yeah they get shot real quick. When it’s my house and my birds that’s what there going to get. Im not ever going to quit until there gone. These 2 birds are monsters that need to be handled. We didn’t use to until we started finding all the baby cardinals, blue jays, doves, tree swallows, dead we looked into it and they were the problem.

[@outwiththem]

Thanks for your service. More women should defend American Songbirds from the invaders. Thanks again.

[@jkgkjgkijk]

Long live the second ammendment and true red American people.

[@outwiththem]

@@jkgkjgkijk -Americans defending American Values And American Birds..

[@billhosko7723]

@@outwiththem Your American 'values' are no more than those of Starlings and Sparrows...

[@renaturezalife1001]

Very beautiful 💚 capture 🤔 Renato RS 🇧🇷 Brasil

[@samuelkulp2618]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@rendellbartholomew2742]

Awww...how 😥 SAD.

[@blobbertmcblob4888]

How is this sad? how is this in any way sad? lol.

[@iship9705]

Starlings must go

[@blobbertmcblob4888]

Starlings aren't going anywhere.

[@AlPootis]

@@blobbertmcblob4888 Shooting them in Europe is illegal. Don't get them to extinction. I feel sorry for the birds, but that's nature sadly. I love birds.

[@frankoshinski9205]

Bummer man

[@leighparker9109]

Thanks lots. :D

[@jz3953]

They don't have a lowers, who could take a real estate.

[@gonesquatchingaming3850]

Fun fact, Starlings taste like venison and in most places in the US you can hunt them all year.

[@buttercup9903]

You’re a disgraceful human

[@joseantonio2417]

Este é o bico de aço, fizeram um buraco , e fizeram um ninho em poste de cimento. Desde from BRASIL.

[@vijayandrenvadiveloo7064]

She left for another guy!!🤔

[@keithrich8740]

Lol im watching one do that right now

[@danstraughn295]

This is why I shoot every starling I can!!!

[@MimiYouyu]

Dear God, thats so sad!

[@bigred8438]

Starlings are an introduced species in our country, and are a huge nuisance for native hollow nesting birds. Our country is colloquially called the land of parrots, because of the shear diversity of species, from tiny to very large. All require nesting hollows in old tree limbs and trunks. It has been observed that for those parrots building a nest, or sitting on eggs or even a clutch of young, starlings will simply start dropping nesting material in on top of the occupants, breaking eggs killing nestlings etc. They also carry a type of louse that native birds do not have and any nest that starlings have used is infested with them. Tragic really.

[@Fresh-tw7ev]

Starlings ruin everything

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Thanks for the video. Where was this?

[@samuelkulp2618]

This occurred in the maple tree just behind our upstairs bedroom window.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Great view. But what city or state is it?

[@samuelkulp2618]

Souderton, PA

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Thanks so much. I added your video to a playlist of starlings attacking other birds.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

I'd updated your description with your location and how you were able to capture the video. People are interested in that sort of thing. Anyway. I am.

[@Catnipfumar]

European common Starlings are an invasive species from Europe. I can think of another invasive species from Europe LOL.😂

[@danvanhoose6783]

Starlings are a pain in the ass.food stealers,and check every nest box for young to pull out.same with squirrels.

[@AMADEUS1371]

Don't give your heart to a woman.

[@jxggerxfinn2013]

God damn I hate starlings with a passion….

[@h7283]

Starling native to Muslim Briton. And fight like gud Muslim.

[@chateaupig826]

Starlings suck but man can they sing

[@outwiththem]

THEY SORT OF SQUEAL... UGGG..

[@waynegraham143]

Starlings suck lol

[@firstclass1445]

Above my back door, the starlings come every year and make a nice home, then the falcon comes and kicks the starlings out, its sucks to see them do all that work, i love all of GODS creations, its natures way, they cant go and purchase a place to call thier own, I believe all GODS creations are here to better things for us, has nothing to do with where it came from, my favorite bird is the starling.

[@outwiththem]

STARLINGS ARE PEST. YOU LIKE TO BE A PEST PROTECTOR. DUMB SUCCKA.

[@bruzote]

Do you love box jellyfish and malaria parasites?

[@Turbo4Joe363]

Hello Sandra!?!? Starlings are an introduced pest species. Introduced to the US by some dipshit humans. I pray to GOD that every .22 pellet I shoot kills a Starling.

[@firstclass1445]

@@Turbo4Joe363 well thats your feelings, thank god every one doesn't have that attitude, I love starlings and thats my feelings, buetiful birds!!!

[@firstclass1445]

@Root 66 you know what! FU I'm not stupid!!! And I LOVE GOD MORE THEM YOU CAUSE I LOVE ALL GODS CREATURE U DUMB ASS!!!

[@amjedmajido1573]

Villa hhhh

[@craigjorgensen4637]

Crows aren’t much better than Starlings!

[@outwiththem]

@Root 66 -THEY EAT THE BABY BIRDS OF OTHER BIRDS.. SHOOT THEM TOO. IT IS LEGAL IN MY STATE. THEY DO A LOT OF DAMAGES TO FARMS..

[@jkgkjgkijk]

So, basically, the wood pecker is a hard working Republican and the starling is a free loading, liberal shi* bag. BTW, amazing, true to life, color in this video.......what type of ....lens is that🙌

[@discobikerAndRosie]

Shame on you starling haters. Their also God's creatures & there's a reason He created them. They have a purpose!

[@markr.1984]

You are correct, their purpose is endangering beautiful native birds. So my purpose is to kill them.