Questions about birds I always wanted to know...

I've read many bird books and googled for info but I've come up empty everytime...
Anyone know...

1) How come Downy Woodpeckers never use our birdbath...to drink or bathe?

2) Why do the Starlings and HOSP flock together...when usually most birds flock with their own kind?
They also feed at our feeders like "buddies" ...just curious...

TIA :)

Hi SusanLouise, I can't answer the first one but it is an interesting question.

In my yard I've never noticed Starlings and House Sparrows flocking together or being feeder buddies but I'm just one yard. :-)

It will be interesting to hear other observations.

Edited to say. Other birds I've seen with flocks of Starlings are sometimes a few Red-winged Blackbirds or Brown-headed Cowbirds.

Remembering Cape May County this past year I haven't noticed those 2 types together either. Might be different in other parts of the country.

Have a good day!

This message was edited Jan 3, 2010 6:05 AM

Howdy, SusanLouise,
I've often wondered why I can't get any woodpecker, other than Red-bellied, to eat at my feeders. I see Downy's up in the trees but they won't come down...guess they are more insect eaters
During the summer, i mostly get Bluebirds and Cardinals using the baths

Hi SusanLouise. Nice to see you here. I have both starlings and HOSPs but they don't hang around together. And I have Downies and Hairies and nuthatches that come for meal worms, especially during the nesting season, but the bluebirds chase them so much they don't risk it this time of year.

And I have never seen any woodpecker bathe in the bird bath. Mostly bluebirds and house finches and HOSPs in the small one and starlings, cowbirds and even an occasional hawk in bathe the large birdbath.

Dave (known on the Feathered Friends forum as Uncle Dave)

We get plenty of downies & have seen red bellied wp only at the end of last yr. They seem to prefer our woods, although there are plenty of trees & shrubs near the house (not right up against it). Have put up a suet feeder with a tailboard but only see downies & titmice use it who certainly don't need the extra part.

Hi SusanLouise, I've never seen a woodpecker of any kind in any of my birdbaths. This is an interesting question and I found this cute video while looking for your answer-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bviqohBYEiY

I've noticed our Starlings stick close to the Brewers Blackbirds and Brown Headed Cowbirds here. I'll have to look further for the answer of why.

Don't have a bird bath so can't answer that.

Lots of Starlings & HOSP but I too don't see them flocking together or hanging out at the feeders together. There may be time when both are at the feeders at the same time. But other birds are there too. The HOSP roost in a neighbors shrubs. The Starlings travel around in a group.

Well maybe thats the answer from the video. A bird bath on the ground next to a tree.

Hello All,

I appreciate everyone's responses! Thanks for the video ducbucin...fantastic!!!! I even put it on my fav's list and posted a comment for it on you tube... :)
Well, as for the Starlings and HOSP, I wish I could post videos here on DG...I"d show how these 2 birds "pal around" and flock with each other here. But, I will add, of coarse, that it's only during the winter months.
Here's are 2 pics of them...

Up in our neighbor's tree...

and then...
Swarming our ground feeder together...with a lone Mourning Dove that was by itself for awhile prior to the flock arriving when this pic was taken.