What A Sight !! Woody on the Hummingbird Feeder

What A Sight !! Woody on the Hummingbird Feeder

by Craig Burgess
(Franklin, TN (Williamson))

What A Sight !!

Can you believe this? Only nature at its best can describe this woodpecker drinking the sugar water from the hummingbird feeder.

I kept wondering why I couldn't keep my hummingbird feed filled up and then I captured this dude helping himself. He just had to have something to go along with his peanuts that I keep out for him. He is a regular in my yard so I guess he thinks he can take any feeder he wants to and get away with it.

I have Hairy Woodpeckers and Downy Woodpeckers along with so many other beautiful birds. They are such a highlight of my day and it is never boring to watch and see what is going to happen next.

My back yard backs up to a wooded area so they are not only in their natural habitat but they come up for some socializing also. Humans are no threat to them at all.

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What A Sight !! Woody on the Hummingbird Feeder

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Sep 04, 2011
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Hairy Woodpeckers (all birds really) are awesome!
by: Suzie Powers

We have a hairy woodpecker that has also been coming to our hummingbird feeder recently in upstate NY. What a sight! He hangs rather upside down as he is so large and then just drinks away. The hummers often join him! Thanks for sharing your awesome photo!

Aug 13, 2011
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thank you Gene
by: marthooo

We have woodpeckers at our hummingbird feeder; they seem to sort out the sharing with the hummers. We did work to lure the yellow jackets away, though!

Gene, thank you for all of the information. We don't mind our woodies and do put suet out for them. We have many titmice, wrens, and blue birds, and I had never made the connection to the woodpeckers' contributions to the presence of these other birds.

Aug 08, 2011
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Woodpeckers
by: Gene

Hi Pastor Ray, Gene from wild-bird-watching.com

I know it can be frustrating from time to time but before you shoot the darn woodpeckers keep in mind that it is illegal. It violates the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, All state laws, and all federal laws. All woodpeckers are protected species.

Why not offer a dish of sugar water and store bought suet for the woodpeckers to feed from. A saucer of sugar water placed on something they can stand on would be liked more than a hummingbird feeder.

3 parts water and 1 part sugar is all it takes to keep everyone happy.

Our woodpeckers provide homes for bluebirds, titmouse, nuthatches, chickadees, wren, tree swallows and many other birds. Without woodpeckers the aforementioned birds would have no where to nest since they can't drill out the tree like woodpeckers.

Woodpeckers build the nest hole and use it only once, leaving it for other birds to use over and over.

Think this one over really well, I don't think you would want this one on your conscience.

Take care,

Gene
www.wild-bird-watching.com

Aug 08, 2011
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I do NOT want Woodpeckers STEALING food!
by: Pastor Ray

I have had a nightmare all summer with these STUPID destructive woodpeckers driving away my Humming Birds! I end up today, removing al of the perches and soaping the hanger poles with Dawn dish soap to make them slick...And it finally seems to have stoped them. I don't want to shoot them but this does not work...I WILL!!!

Aug 02, 2011
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thanks and Monarchs
by: Paula

Thank you Barbara for adding your comment. I want everyone to chime in about Monarchs. I have only seen one or two this entire summer. It is so unbearably hot here this year, today was 107, in Tulsa. I am so afraid this will hamper them further. Please send me some good news from somwwhere.

Aug 01, 2011
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Woodpecker on my feeder too
by: Barbara

I too have had a woodpecker on my hummingbird feeder. He lands on a trellis next to the feeder and will spend as much as 5-10 minutes drinking from the feeder.

This is the first year I have seen this but it has really been hot in North Carolina this summer.

It is so interesting to watch him. I have tried to get a video but when I get close enough he flys away.

I am usually inside and don't have any way to get to him that will not disturb him-guess this is not as odd as I thought. So much fun to watch him!!

Jun 17, 2011
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woodpeckers at hummer feeders
by: Barbara

We had a female downy at our hummer feeder this evening in Anacortes, WA. We've had our finches drinking from it after we took the seed feeder down for the warmer months, but this is a first. We have year round Anna's here, even though it gets cold and freezes once in awhile.

May 28, 2011
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Hairy woodpeckers at hummingbird feeder
by: Perry

Today I noticed a pair of hairy woodpeckers at my hummingbird feeder. This is the first time I've ever seen this. It's very interesting. I live about 40 miles north of Atlanta on the edge of heavy woods.

Jan 05, 2011
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Breeding pair of Gila Woodpeckers at ours!
by: Steve

We have a breeding pair of Gila woodpeckers that have taken a liking to the hummingbird feeder. They've not given us any problems, and the hummingbirds still get their sugar. They are amusing to watch too.

Aug 28, 2010
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Downy loves Hummers feeder
by: b oneill

Was so pleased to find this site. We have Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers that visit our yard. We have seen them both at the seed feeder from time to time but this year the Downys are enjoying our new Hummingbird feeder as well.

It is bigger than the one we had plus it has a built in perch on the flowers. People think I'm kidding when I tell them about it so I had to take some pictures, not as good as the one on this site but good enough for the nay sayers. Got to love nature!!

Aug 13, 2010
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Downys at hummingbird feeder
by: Bea

Just had my first Downy sighting at our hummingbird feeder. Charming - yes - but other posts concern me that he will become "they" and that our deck will get messed up. Other experiences?

Aug 03, 2010
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Me Too
by: Paula

I have a little Downy at my hummingbird feeder this summer. I have never seen this before and wondered if he/she was just different until I stumbled upon this website. The Ruby throats still come and I find this knew addition charming.

To the other inquisitor: leaving your feeders up will not deter the hummers from migrating. it will help and not hinder, so please help.

Has anyone seen a Monarch butterfly this summer? I haven't and I live in Tulsa, OK.

Oct 21, 2009
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woodpeckers on hummingbird feeders
by: Kandy

gosh, I have 2 woodpeckers that have made my back yard their home here in Phoenix, AZ. They pretty much have taken over my hummingbird feeder. I really wish there was a way to get rid of them..they squawk soooo loud and have pecked the weaving off my patio chairs, but gosh i hate giving up feeding the hummingbirds. My 2 cats love watching all the activity, but I'm really getting tired of the woodpecker mess. they peck the house sometimes too.

Any ideas?

Sep 20, 2009
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Woodpecker at the hummingbird feeder
by: Steve Mason

Yeah!! I've got pictures (spur-of-the moment through a window & fog, so hard to see well) of a yellow-fronted woodpecker on my hummingbird feeder in Wimberley (central Texas). A big bird and he hangs on the lip w/ no support for it's tail and I can see his tongue shooting in the little holes. The same bird also hides chipped corn in the bark of the junipers.

Sep 14, 2009
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Taking Hummingbird Feeders Down
by: Website Administrator

Hummingbirds will migrate whether your feeder is still up or not. It's a myth that they will stay too long.

The best time to take your hummingbird feeders down is about two weeks after the last time you see hummingbirds feeding from them.

This years hatchlings are the last to migrate and need to fatten up before migration, so leave them up as long as you still have them coming around.

Gene
www.wild-bird-watching.com

Sep 14, 2009
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When to take down hummingbird feeders
by: Kathie

I live in Upstate NY and have noticed there are still hummingbirds coming to my feeders, someone told me that it was time to take them down here. They said if you remove them too late in the season the birds will not migrate. I was wondering if any one knew when it is time to take them down here in Upstate NY. thanks

Jul 15, 2009
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Woody on there Hummingbird Feeder
by: Jean

We are in southwestern NY. Something is emptying our hummingbird feeder almost every night. There is hair on the feeder and the wooden post it is attached to.

We have set a live trap have not been able to catch whoever or what ever the bandit is.

They really like our regular bird feed too.
We suspect raccoons. We do have lots of squirrels too.

Jul 12, 2009
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I never knew this was so common
by: Anonymous

How great to see your photo. We spend sooooo much time(and money-can't believe what I'm willing to spend for peanuts! to attract even more squirrels! lol) enjoying the "nature preserve" in our back yard in upstate NY.

Lots of time spent lately observing our baby cardinals and bluebirds, expecting the young rose breasted grosbeaks any day.

I was dumbfounded when I saw a red squirrel hanging upside down along side the hummingbird feeder lapping up nectar, he must have liked it as he is back today, but I see from my search that I don't have an earth shattering discovery.

Aren't animals and birds a treat. May have to get a feeder like yours as we always have red bellied woodpeckers and maybe I can attract some bigger sippers. Thanks for your post.

Jul 07, 2009
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Great picture
by: Anonymous

Perfect picture of a woodpecker feeling right at home!

Jul 07, 2009
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Copycat woodpecker
by: Anonymous

Just captured a downy doing the exact same thing in my Massachusetts back yard!

Your picture is better tho....

Jul 06, 2009
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Woodpecker AND Squirrel
by: Anonymous

I was searching for hummingbird feeder, woodpecker and squirrel when I found your post. A woodpecker is draining the feeder, but there is also a squirrel who tips it to get the syrup!

I would think it is because we have been so dry, but there is a birdbath right under it with fresh water.
Thank God for Birds,
Donna

Jun 03, 2009
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another one here
by: Joyce

We have a resident red bellied woodpecker who hangs on the HB feeder (exact same kind), tipping it so the nectar runs out, then he laps it up from the outside of the feeder. He makes quite a mess! I'd never heard of that before, but found the picture when I Googled.

Jun 01, 2009
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We have one too
by: Joan

Yesterday I watched an Acorn woodpecker drinking from our hummingbird feeder. After doing an internet search I found your entry where you had one too.

I was wondering why that one feeder was draining so fast, at least till I caught him at it.

May 23, 2009
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Truly Amazing !
by: Elaine

This is truly amazing. I would love to see "Woody" doing this. I will watch my hummer feeder and see if my woodpeckers visit it.

Elaine
Franklin, TN

May 23, 2009
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a woody on the HB feeder
by: Cindy

Hi Craig!
Woodies aren't the only thing that'll visit the Hummingbird feeder! So far, I have pictures of the Ladder-backed Woodpecker, the Hooded Oriole, The Scotts Oriole, and the Verdin each taking their turn at the HB feeder! I've found that most fruit eaters, or sapsuckers.. (figure of speech not WP name)will taste the nectar if they can get it. The Ladder-backed Woodpecker was the first I think that I observed. We have these birds natural habitat too.. but when the Hummers let me know they are back.. out go my feeders! Its a treat to see them all. So far there hasn't been a problem.. but some of the visitors to the feeder.. are also predators for the hummingbirds birds. So I have a few out there.. spread far and wide. I've now included some fruit out there.. and each seem to be going to its own. Great picture!!
Cindy, High Desert Mtns. CA

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