Other bird?- using hummingbird feeder (1 Viewer)

[easytim]

This bird has been drinking at the hummingbird feeder, we think it is a female Downing Woodpecker. Its sticking its long beak down into the hole to feed.

Pictures can be seen here ---- Woodpecker feeding at the hummingbird feeder



If it wasn't for that yellow plastic flower it couldn't hang on, I guess its a Downing Woodpecker. It sure wasn't afraid of me, I got 12 feet away from it to take these pictures, didn't seem bothered by me at all.

 

[humminbird]

Happens quite often Tim but always interesting to see.

 

[crickieheather]

It does lood like a Downy (or Hairy) woodpecker. Like Mark said, it happens quite often. I have a woopecker that visits my sunflower seed feeder, but never the hummingbird feeder.
I see you are using commercial nectar mix, with red dye in it. Red dye isn't really needed for the hummingbird to find your feeder, and may even be harmful to the birds. If you mix up 1 part sugar to three or four parts water, it works just as well (sometimes even better) at attracting hummingbirds, and it's much cheaper than buying that red stuff at the store.

 

[humminbird]

Have to agree with Crickieheather there - the food coloring is not recommended.

 

[FeistyRdHd]

Tim,

What a very cool picture! I have never seen nor heard of this. We have downy woodpeckers and hummer feeders, but the hummer feeders are up against the house. Maybe that's why I have never seen it. We have special woodpecker bars, and the woodpeckers LOVE those! I've even seen the pileated on them.

Anyhow, way cool picture. I will have to show it to my husband.

Thanks for sharing it.

Lydia :girl:

 

[Tammie]

If you could tell us the size of the feeder, it would be easier to tell if it's a hairy or downy. If the feeder is say, a foot long, then that would definitely be a hairy woodpecker.

I've had them hit hummer feeders before......................... hard!! A female hairy went after mine a few years ago and damaged one of the 'bee guards' at one feeder port. She banged away at it like it was a regular feeder!

 

[snowyowl]

If I'm seeing things correctly, there is barring on the undertail (in the second picture) which would make it a Downy for sure.

 

[humminbird]

The feeder is a Perky Pet I believe. The bird does not appear large enough to be a Hairy Woodpecker.

Mark
Bastrop, TX