#63625
Jun 11th, 2007 at 09:31 PM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,521
The Bird Man
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OP
The Bird Man
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,521 |
I have heard several reports of odd behavior among Downy Woodpeckers. People have been reporting that they Punch holes in the sides of Trumpet Creeper blossoms to drink the nectar inside and then drop the emptied blossoms on the ground. Yesterday, I noticed large numbers of Trumpet Creeper blossoms on the ground with holes punched in the side of each one. I had recently heard vigorous Downy Feeding calls coming from the vicinity of the vines. Has anyone heard of this or seen evidence of this behavior? Here is a picture I took of three of the blossoms.
Kingdoms RAGE and go to war...but the PEasants plant potatoes.. EARTH FIRST! (we'll strip-mine the OTHER planets later.)
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 16,245
TweetyBird
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TweetyBird
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 16,245 |
I've never heard of or seen that. I don't have any tc vine nearby that I can keep an eye on either.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 46,817 Likes: 33
Frogger
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Frogger
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 46,817 Likes: 33 |
Thorny, Your story really did not surprise me at all. I guess I realy neeed to read up on the Downy Woodpecker. I was of the impression "woodpecker" meant just that---and i would have to be watching my trees---but no, MY Downy Woodpecker is eating from my oriole feeder and yours is eating Trumpet Blossoms. Perhpas they are Hummingbird wannabes?? Or perhaps there is a Hummingbird-(or 2)- in the "Wood" pile???
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,521
The Bird Man
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OP
The Bird Man
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,521 |
Actually Betsy, the administrator of the northeast Texas Audubon society, tells me that many Woodpeckers feed on flower nectar and often visit hummer and Oriole feeders. I HAVE see Downys drinking from the hummer feeders at a nature center in my area. Betsy and I are advanced members on the birdersworld.com forum. She is a wild bird educator, and I am the Robin Williams of birding.
Kingdoms RAGE and go to war...but the PEasants plant potatoes.. EARTH FIRST! (we'll strip-mine the OTHER planets later.)
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 46,817 Likes: 33
Frogger
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Frogger
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 46,817 Likes: 33 |
Ah, I see---but WOW, a wild bird educator---now i feel so inadequate-- there is so much i do not know--- the husband was going to buy me a nicer bird book than the one I have for my birthday, but this surgery came up---so perhaps later---but thanks for telling me about whatbird.com--that has helped me tremendously.
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,521
The Bird Man
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OP
The Bird Man
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,521 |
The best bird book to buy is, "The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America". They also have a Western North America edition AND an edition that covers ALL of North America. But since you are in Illinois, The Eastern North America edition should be all you need. It is small enough to be carried in a fanny pack, shoulder bag, or large coat pocket, and costs around $20.00 in most book stores, although eBay might have it cheaper.
Kingdoms RAGE and go to war...but the PEasants plant potatoes.. EARTH FIRST! (we'll strip-mine the OTHER planets later.)
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 46,817 Likes: 33
Frogger
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Frogger
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 46,817 Likes: 33 |
Bless you Thorny!!!! I will look for it on E-bay that way I can just have it delivered to my home--if not I can have the girls get it for me. again, Thanks
________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
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