Re: [MDBirding] Digest for mdbirding@googlegroups.com - 2 updates in 1 topic

[Ann Coren]

This summer, even before we stopped putting out the suet, Downys were going to the peanut chips in the finch feeder. Both male and female but not at the same time. They will defend their space from each other and the finches while they’re feeding. 

Ann

In Columbia, MD

On Sun, May 24, 2026 at 6:35 AM <mdbi...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

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• Possibly odd behaviour by Downy Woodpeckers - 2 Updates

Possibly odd behaviour by Downy Woodpeckers

<jonbarr...@gmail.com>: May 23 08:01PM -0400 A few days ago I noticed a female Downy feeding at my nyjer/sunflower chip feeder (a wire mesh cylinder). In the last couple of days she's been joined by a male Downy. By "joined", I don't mean one or the other, I've frequently observed both of them there at the same time, and this evening they actually "scared off" a Cardinal who also wanted to feed there. I stopped putting out suet back in March, when things seemed to be warming up, and even while I had the suet out I hadn't seen them as regularly as I am now.   My initial thought was that some ants or other insects had gotten in there, but I've refilled the feeder and this has continued, not just as an occasional visit but as a fairly steady series of visits. Is this an anomaly, or have other people observed similar behaviour?     Jon     Jon Barrett   jonbarr...@gmail.com   Greenbelt, MD

Steve Long <steve...@atlanticbb.net>: May 23 10:14PM -0400 I regularly have Downy Woodpeckers at my tube feeder.  They seem to like the sunflower kernels and maybe the peanut splits.  They are year-round feeders here.  But, I don't recall ever seeing 2 on the same feeder at once.   I also have regular Red-bellied Woodpeckers at the same feeder. They can't get inside the cage, but can reach far enough through to get the peanuts.   Steve Long, Oxford

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