Because of the increase in hummingbird activity this year, we have 2 feeders out for them. They use the Oriole feeder as well (no Orioles have shown up yet). Good thing that they have all these feeding stations because a bird that I wouldn't expect to enjoy the sugar-water (nectar) was at a hummingbird feeder--an immature Red-bellied Woodpecker!
As an aside, I must convey how delighted I am that there is a fledgling Red-bellied here. A female died last year because of a window collision and it broke our hearts. Plus, they only have one brood a year, so its great knowing that they were able to reproduce successfully.
Last week, I witnessed the immature Red-bellied being feed suet by his papa which was quite a sight. Today I get to witness an even more remarkable sight. He started out at the tube feeder that contains thistle. There's a tray underneath that he was both hanging onto and eating from. Then he went over to the hummingbird feeder, gripped onto one of the the posts, and while hanging vertically started drinking the nectar. I grabbed the binoculars and could clearly see a tongue extending out into the little hole. He stayed there for over a minute. While he was feeding, papa was at the suet cage. They both left together. Amazing!
Posted by Elizabeth at June 23, 2004 06:09 PMI really wish I could've seen that! Maybe it'll become addicted to the sugar water and I'll get to see it :)
Posted by: Paul at June 24, 2004 10:11 AM