Nest-site battle - 21st May

While birding on the edge of the clearing at La Florida, looking down the slope I noticed a kerfuffle occurring on a nearby tree. A large woodcreeper appeared to be being attacked by a smaller species. Upon examination it looks like it is a battle for a nesting site between two species with similar habitat requirements.

The larger bird is a Strong-billed Woodcreeper. It has discovered a nice-sized hole in a tree, and is investigating, presumably prospecting for a nest-site. While doing so a smaller bird starts to bombard it, flying by extremely closely in a very aggressive display.

Eventually the larger woodcreeper gets tired of constantly defending itself and moves off, leaving the field in the hands of the aggressor. It turned out to be a Lineated Foliage-gleaner...

...which was soon joined by a mate. The battle continued for some time that day, and both species were still in the area the next morning, still arguing over real estate!