While at a birding event I was visiting with a rehab center that had a different species of woodpecker.  As part of her presentation about the bird she would hold a bowl of sugar water next to the cage, it was a treat for the bird only during educational programs.  The bird would extend its tongue out to get a bit of sugar water.  I was surprised at the use of sugar water but she said it was not unusual.

By the way, I think everyone needs to see this demonstrated.  It is one thing to know a woodpecker has a long tongue, it is completely different to see it fully extended.  



Rebecca Hinkle

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry



-----Original Message-----

From: Robert Evans <[log in to unmask]>

Sender: Ohio birds <[log in to unmask]>

Date:         Fri, 8 Jun 2012 14:27:56 

To: <[log in to unmask]>

Reply-To: Robert Evans <[log in to unmask]>

Subject: Re: [Ohio-birds] Downy Woodpecker at hummingbird feeder



Here at our farm we have been seeing similar behavior the past few days,

also a female downy woodpecker, also from an apparently clean hummingbird

feeder, with no insects when it was cleaned and changed. I don't recall

seeing it in previous years. Strange, but energy is energy...



Bob Evans

Geologist, etc.

Hopewell Township, Muskingum County



On Fri, Jun 8, 2012 at 1:16 PM, Bill Heck <[log in to unmask]> wrote:



> Syd Richards, a Columbus area resident, reports that a female Downy

> Woodpecker has been visiting -- and apparently feeding at -- her

> hummingbird feeder regularly for a couple of weeks. I've seen a picture of

> the bird sitting on a perch at the feeder and it certainly appears to be

> feeding somewhat like a hummer.

>

> My first thought was that this bird was feeding on insects rather than

> nectar (sugar water). However, Syd reports that there are no ants on the

> feeder (not preferred woodpecker food anyway) and there do not seem to be

> significant numbers of other insects there.

>

> Has anyone else run across this behavior? It's a new one for me!

>

> Thanks,

>

> --

> Bill Heck

>

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