Rat-a-tat-tat

[RebelSS]

These Little guys, Hairy Woodpeckers, I think, have been all over my deck tapping away today...four or five of them at a time.

[leech~~]

Nice shot but you may want to check your deck for termites or boring beetles. He's not there just to make music!

[RebelSS]

That's what I always thought, but my deck is solid, and I treat it every other year, take really good care of it, go over it frequently, since I put the effort into building it. I went and checked where he was; no holes, dents, nothing, hard, solid treated wood....... They are also tapping on my steel downspouts, (CLANG) side of house, (flat, smooth painted siding...seems like everything!

UPDATE: Went back out and looked at the post (correct one this time) where he was tapping. If you look close in the pic, you can see a couple tiny holes in front of his head....I had a small dog gate on there, and there are three very small holes where the screws for the hinge was. Solid and no "bugs"...but I bet HE thought there was something in there!!! Hmmmm...now for the steel downspouts....!!!

[StephenRamon]

Nice picture!

[RebelSS]

Where??!!

[Ufatz]

You will often discover that birds are picking very small insects from decks and other woodwork around your house;  they do the same with trees and any other structure that might hold the bugs. We see them often on our decks and they usually pick a little bit and then move on,  perhaps just checking to see if there is anything edible there. These rascals also love hummingbird or oriole nectar, sunflower seeds and of course suet in winter.

We have discovered  many species that will head straight for the nectar for orioles or hummingbirds and also plunge their beaks eagerly into the grape jam bowls orioles love. Birds will eat a greater variety than you might think.

We have found they do not like limburger cheese, hot dogs, or Makers Mark bourbon.  I am thankful for that.

[delcecchi]

Also woodpeckers beat on stuff to mark their territory.   I am pretty sure that there aren't any bugs on my metal downspouts.

[RebelSS]

 

"We have found they do not like limburger cheese, hot dogs, or Makers Mark bourbon.  I am thankful for that."

 

Thanks for making my nite.  

[eyeguy 54]

chicks maybe exploring what the beak is for