Male Downy Woodpecker has to put up with a Catbird and a Robin who simply don't understand suet feeder etiquette nor the fact that this is a woodpecker blend made for attracting woodpeckers. The little Downy's get their share, but Catbirds and Robins have no shame when it comes to suet!
The female Downy faced the same stiff competition earlier at:
Female Downy Woodpecker and Gray Catbird - can they live in peace and harmony sharing a small suet feeder? Inquiring minds want to know - and will someone get the little Downy Woodpecker a napkin!
A "Big Day" in the backyard! Winter birds are arriving now that the first really cold air is filtering down the eastern U.S.. The latest to arrive is a small group of 8-10 Yellow-Rumped Warblers and the first magnificent mature male Painted Bunting of the season. A few Bunting "Greenies" have been around for a week or so. A group of Catbirds are "meowing" in the brush - they do not come to the seed feeder. All-in-all things are pretty much on schedule.
Catbird - the Movie. Catbirds have never been known to be shrinking violets. This Catbird raises the bar by producing, directing, writing and starring in its own movie! But its not just any movie, Catbird came up with the novel idea of a bird movie....within a bird movie. Sort of an art house concept. Brilliant! Big stars can be hard to work with - in this case Catbird had a tendency to wipe it's greasy beak on the camera equipment between takes.
Truth be told I had a camera trap set up for woodpeckers feeding on a suet holder but this Catbird had taken to calling the suet his own and vigorously defending it for several days. You will note he quickly chases away a Yellow-Rumped Warbler who also had a taste for suet and would have to sneak in a bite whenever the Catbird wasn't looking.
