Chickadees at your Humming bird feeders. (1 Viewer)

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William A

New user

• Mar 21, 2020

• #1

Chickadees at my Humming bird feeders.

Hi all, long time reader, first time poster.

I've got 3 feeders here I keep out year round and for quite some time now the Chickadees have feeding/drinking from them.
Pretty often, almost as much as the Hummers do themselves.

Here's a short vid I did yesterday...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Dwz5gmSc3A

I'm not complaining mind you, as I could easily put a stop to it by installing my bee guards.

Just thought it was a weird bird behavior and wanted to share.
Anybody else have other birds helping themselves to the sweet juice ?

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Mar 21, 2020

• #2

Heck, i've got Chickadees, Titmouse and Downy Woodpeckers availing themselves to the hummer feeders.

 

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William A

New user

• Mar 21, 2020

• #3

I could see the Titmouse but the Downy would really surprise me.

 

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etudiant

Registered User

Supporter

• Mar 23, 2020

• #4

If Downy Woodpeckers have learned to enjoy the libation you offer, I'd expect Sapsuckers and Orioles to get the message as well.
Please keep us posted, ideally with pictures.

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Mar 24, 2020

• #5

etudiant said:

If Downy Woodpeckers have learned to enjoy the libation you offer, I'd expect Sapsuckers and Orioles to get the message as well.

Click to expand...

Or are their bills too thick to get into the holes? Downy has a much smaller bill than those, so can get it into feeder holes more easily.

 

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etudiant

Registered User

Supporter

• Mar 24, 2020

• #6

Nutcracker said:

Or are their bills too thick to get into the holes? Downy has a much smaller bill than those, so can get it into feeder holes more easily.

Click to expand...

Tongues are very flexible and boy do woodpeckers have tongues!

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Mar 24, 2020

• #7

etudiant said:

Tongues are very flexible and boy do woodpeckers have tongues!

Click to expand...

Yep - but they're evolved for pulling out insect grubs, not sugary water. Tho' have to admit, I don't know if sapsuckers have any adaptations in that direction.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Mar 25, 2020

• #8

I've never seen a Sapsucker at my hummer feeders

 

Lisa W

I really need to get out and bird more

Staff member

Supporter

• Mar 25, 2020

• #9

I’ve had orioles and Gila woodpeckers on mine. And in the fall the bats love to feed on the feeder at night.

 

GardenHeart

Well-known member

• May 8, 2020

• #10

I have had house finches and wrens visit. but I am guessing toughs are common at hummingbird feeders.

 

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fugl

Well-known member

• May 9, 2020

• #11

Nutcracker said:

Yep - but they're evolved for pulling out insect grubs, not sugary water. Tho' have to admit, I don't know if sapsuckers have any adaptations in that direction.

Click to expand...

They most certainly do in the form of brushy tongue-tips designed for the absorption of xylem (late winter, spring) and phloem (isummer, early fall). I don’t imagine they’d have much trouble with hummingbird feeders though whether they’d bother is another matter: compared to tree sap, sugar water would be very thin gruel indeed..