Red-Bellied Woodpecker behavior
Good morning,
All winter long, we enjoyed watching a male Red-Bellied Woodpecker visit our suet. Late in the winter, a female came by occasionally, too, then they stopped visiting as they got busy with courtship and nesting. Just last week, the male started visiting the suet again. He's been back and forth this morning, taking small pieces away with him, instead of consuming them at the feeder. I surmise he's taking them to the nest - to feed his mate, or to feed nestlings? Haven't seen the female for several days. Any opinions or similar observations?
On a related question, I often wonder how our feeding the birds affects their long-term well-being. Certainly it helps them during stressful times, such as cold/wet weather and migration. But does the presence of feeders discourage them from foraging? And is the food we provide as healthful as the food they would get naturally? I've never left my feeders up this long before - I've been surprised that the birds are here and feeding all day, every day. I would appreciate some perspective from those of you with more experience and knowledge.
Thanks - I enjoy this list so much.
Sarah
Sarah Hager Johnston, BMus, MLS
860-676-2228
Peregrine Information Consultants
www.peregrineinfo.com
Research and writing for insurance, risk management, safety & health, business, and medical professionals
Grace Notes
www.grace-notes.com
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Sarah -
The whole topic of year-round bird feeding has been a contentious one for
years, but the recurring opinions and studies seem to indicate that the
birds will always forage in the wild, regardless of the bounty offered in
your backyard. I think that the Cornell Lab of Ornithology had some stuff
on their website about feeding, but I don't know for sure.
I suppose you could do a Google on something like "birdfeeding year round"
and get lots of stuff to sift through. Keep tabs on that woodpecker - a
breeding record would be significant!
Clay Taylor
Moodus, CT
ctaylor@att.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peregrine Information Consultants" info@peregrineinfo.com
To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2007 10:02 AM
Subject: [CT Birds] Red-Bellied Woodpecker behavior
Good morning,
All winter long, we enjoyed watching a male Red-Bellied Woodpecker visit
our suet. Late in the winter, a female came by occasionally, too, then
they stopped visiting as they got busy with courtship and nesting. Just
last week, the male started visiting the suet again. He's been back and
forth this morning, taking small pieces away with him, instead of
consuming them at the feeder. I surmise he's taking them to the nest - to
feed his mate, or to feed nestlings? Haven't seen the female for several
days. Any opinions or similar observations?
On a related question, I often wonder how our feeding the birds affects
their long-term well-being. Certainly it helps them during stressful
times, such as cold/wet weather and migration. But does the presence of
feeders discourage them from foraging? And is the food we provide as
healthful as the food they would get naturally? I've never left my feeders
up this long before - I've been surprised that the birds are here and
feeding all day, every day. I would appreciate some perspective from those
of you with more experience and knowledge.
Thanks - I enjoy this list so much.
Sarah
Sarah Hager Johnston, BMus, MLS
860-676-2228
Peregrine Information Consultants
www.peregrineinfo.com
Research and writing for insurance, risk management, safety & health,
business, and medical professionals
Grace Notes
www.grace-notes.com
Program annotations, research, and writing services for classical musical
ensembles and the professionals who serve them
This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
Ackkkk.....evidently I am suffering from rare-bird syndrome - I did a quick
scan of your original message and thought I read "Red-headed", then
concentrated on the feeder issue. D'oh!
While not as significant as a Red-headed Woodpecker nesting in CT, it is
still something that can be useful in the eBird database.
Clay
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peregrine Information Consultants" info@peregrineinfo.com
To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2007 10:02 AM
Subject: [CT Birds] Red-Bellied Woodpecker behavior
Good morning,
All winter long, we enjoyed watching a male Red-Bellied Woodpecker visit
our suet. Late in the winter, a female came by occasionally, too, then
they stopped visiting as they got busy with courtship and nesting. Just
last week, the male started visiting the suet again. He's been back and
forth this morning, taking small pieces away with him, instead of
consuming them at the feeder. I surmise he's taking them to the nest - to
feed his mate, or to feed nestlings? Haven't seen the female for several
days. Any opinions or similar observations?
On a related question, I often wonder how our feeding the birds affects
their long-term well-being. Certainly it helps them during stressful
times, such as cold/wet weather and migration. But does the presence of
feeders discourage them from foraging? And is the food we provide as
healthful as the food they would get naturally? I've never left my feeders
up this long before - I've been surprised that the birds are here and
feeding all day, every day. I would appreciate some perspective from those
of you with more experience and knowledge.
Thanks - I enjoy this list so much.
Sarah
Sarah Hager Johnston, BMus, MLS
860-676-2228
Peregrine Information Consultants
www.peregrineinfo.com
Research and writing for insurance, risk management, safety & health,
business, and medical professionals
Grace Notes
www.grace-notes.com
Program annotations, research, and writing services for classical musical
ensembles and the professionals who serve them
This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org