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| It didn't even blink - some thought the motionless woodpecker was a plastic replica |
This great spotted woodpecker on the trunk of a dead tree appeared to be frozen in time.
Instead of flying off, it remained motionless for the best part of 15 minutes.
Some onlookers were convinced it must have been a fake, ornamental bird, attached to the tree in jest.
But then suddenly it flew off.
Why had the bird remained stationary for so long?
The prevailing theory is that it was aware of a sparrowhawk in the vicinity.
Because woodpeckers have a weak undulating flight, they can fall prey to a fast-moving sprawk.
For that reason, it was safer for this woodpecker to remain static until it was confident the danger had passed.
* Note for twitchers: the title below has just been published as an e-book on Kindle.
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