Acorn Woodpeckers in Arizona do this, too. Bruce Date sent: Sun, 3 Jun 2007 23:43:36 -0400 Send reply to: Kenn Kaufman <[log in to unmask]> From: Kenn Kaufman <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: [Ohio-birds] Unusual Hummingbird feeder Visitor To: [log in to unmask] > 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 > > ______________________________________________________________________ > > Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our > thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional > discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. > > You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS > Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]