Daily, downy, hairy, and red bellied woodpeckers feast on our suet.
A pileated pair are rare visitors.
The pileated woodpeckers definitely dominate the feeder. When one
approaches for landing, all else flies.
The hairy woodpeckers rule on a daily basis, aggressively forcing
red bellies and downies away. While the hairy seems unperturbed by
movement in our house, a shadow on any near window will cause the
pileated to move to safety.
Next in the pecking order would be the red bellies. A hairy will
push a red belly off the suet, while a red belly will dominate a
downy. If our shadows hit the sliding glass door close to the
feeder, a skittish red belly will abandon his/her meal and head for
the pine boughs.
The smaller downy woodpeckers do not fly at our shadows, but are
chased by larger neighbors.
The nuthatches are wary, watching from a distance, then walking up
the tree with the suet feeder is unoccupied. They are troubled by
any movement in our house and depart quickly when a woodpecker lands.
With the timid brown creepers, caution rules. They stay low, avoid
the crowds, and glean the droppings of suet.
Contrary to many bucolic paintings, I have never seen two species
feeding together. Suet is survival. And just what does 'eats like a
bird' supposed to mean?
susan barr
brooktondale
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