Possibly odd behaviour by Downy Woodpeckers

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jonbarr...@gmail.com

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May 23, 2026, 8:01:21 PM (18 hours ago) May 23
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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

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May 23, 2026, 10:14:53 PM (16 hours ago) May 23
to mdbi...@googlegroups.com

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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blueheron05

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11:47 AM (3 hours ago) 11:47 AM
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I had a pair feeding a young one at a feeder yesterday. I assume this is a teaching moment. They use the seed feeders (mixed finch food in one, black oil sunflower in the other) and the suet feeders which are still up.  

Barbara Hlavka

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1:08 PM (1 hour ago) 1:08 PM
to Maryland & DC Birding
I have had downies at my finch feeder year round.  Recently I've watched what I assume is a downy parent taking suet bits to a waiting downy on the branch above.  This happens repeatedly and then suddenly the parent flies off and the one on the branch tries the suet feeder.  I am assuming this is teaching where to find food.  They are all over my backyard right now at the finch feeder, peanut feeder and suet.  Makes me so happy to see them!

Barb Hlavka

Silver Spring, MD

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