[TN-Bird] Re: Pileated Family Groups
- From: John Devereux Joslin <jdjoslin@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: Meryl_Rose@xxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 09 Jan 2003 07:48:33 -0500
Meryl, Dean, and Ella,
How to I manage to attract Pileateds? Well, first of all, and most
importantly, I think is LUCK. I've had the same basic suet feeder set-up for
five years, and others before that, and these are the first Pileateds I've
seen using it in ten years! And we have had Pileated in our woods throughout
this period.
I think one of them just happened to discover it and the rest caught on
to what she was up to. Don't know why they didn't figure it out from all the
Hairy's, Red-bellieds, and other birds using it over the years.
One thing to keep in mind is that Pileateds all seem quite shy (or maybe
they're such angry or sensitive!). They won't dream of using the feeder if
I'm in the yard. When they approach the feeder they look around for a couple
of minutes in all directions before actually going to the feeder. And if
they even see a person in window or even movement through the window, they
take off. Similarly if I go out the side door and they hear or see me,
they're gone.
So, I guess my one piece of advice is give them as much PRIVACY as you
can.
As for my feeder, it's nothing special. Two layers of wire mesh tightly
wound around a dogwood tree so the holes are too small for the squirrels or
crows. And the mounting to the tree (with bungee cords and wire) is strong
enough to keep racoons from tearing into it. Suet is just the store-bought
variety--mostly suet plus a little millet, sunflower seeds, and/or corn. But
mainly they just want something with a lot of fat in it, I think.
Now back to my original question! Anybody famliar with Pileated family
habits?? I'm used to seeing pairs working the woods together, but not groups
of four. Anyone out there have any insight on this topic?
Dev Joslin
Oak Ridge
Meryl_Rose@xxxxxxx wrote:
> Dev:
>
> Though I don't immediately have an answer to your question re: Pileated
> Woodpecker family groups, could you please describe your suet feeder
> set-up? Are you using a special recipe?
>
> I have been trying for years to lure the Pileateds in our neighborhood to
> my suet (to no avail). I have used a suet cage, and I have also tried
> drilling a hole in a log, filling it with suet, and hanging it on my
> porch. No luck.
>
> Meryl Goldin Rose
> Gatlinburg, TN 37738
>
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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society
web site at http://www.tnbirds.org
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TN-Bird Net Owner: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN
jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx (423) 764-3958
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