This morning when I went to the window to check a suet feeder in the front yard
I saw a Red-bellied WP and a Starling both hanging on the feeder, one on each
side. At first it looked like an impasse between the two birds as they eyed
each other. The Red belly was feeding, and the Starling was watching a chance
to move in, or so it seemed. Presently I noticed the Red belly was picking
little morsels of suet and seemingly offering them to the Starling. It was
almost as if the Red belly was teasing the Starling. The Starling would reach
out to accept the offering, but in most cases drew back at the last moment
appearing a little afraid although the Starling may have actually accepted the
suet a few times. This went on for several minutes during a steady rain. Has
anyone ever seen behavior like this between two different species? I have seen
Red bellies give House Finches and other birds a solid whack when they got too
close to them on the feeder.
Ken Hinkle
Bridgewater, VA
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