Hi Michele,
That's a neat observation.  I haven't seen Red-bellied Woodpeckers visiting
hummingbird feeders in Ohio, but I've seen this happen in Louisiana.  A
close relative of this species, the Gila Woodpecker, is a very frequent
visitor to hummer feeders in Arizona, clinging awkwardly and lapping up the
sugar water.  Another relative, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, comes to hummer
feeders (and to oriole feeders, including sliced oranges) in southern Texas.
It's my impression that this particular group (the barred-backed members of
the genus Melanerpes) tend to be more adaptable or more varied in their
diets than most woodpeckers.  But a taste for sweet liquids may run in the
family, if you consider that the sapsuckers are just woodpeckers specialized
for drinking sap.

Still, if all the local Red-bellieds get into the act, your mother-in-law
may wind up going through even more than 100 pounds of sugar this year!

Kenn Kaufman
Rocky Ridge, Ohio

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