Warbler eating suet? (1 Viewer)

[HouseFinch]

Over the past few days, I've had a female Townsend's Warbler happily eating away at my suet feeder: she's the first of her kind I've ever seen, so I was pleasantly surprised to see her. I've tried to photograph her, but she's too quick for me: she'll take a nibble, darting around, then take off. It seems odd to me that a warbler would eat suet, but is it? Also, several Varied Thrushes have been eating seeds from my platform feeder, but I've always known and seen them as ground feeders.

I'm starting to wonder if 'my' birds have gone crazy from all the rain we're having up here. :'D

 

[Bubbs]

I guess when they are hungry they will eat anything.....

http://www.surfbirds.com/cgi-bin/gallery/display.cgi?gallery=gallery11&start=13

Scrool down to see the Desert Lesser-whitethroat.

John

 

[columbidae]

I sometimes get a pine warbler to my suet feeder. Not everyday, by any means, but fairly often in winter--I think the last time I saw this was about 3 or 4 days ago. A couple of winters ago I actually had a pine warbler show up and start defending the suet feeder, chasing away any other birds that tried to approach. I don't think suet would be a major part of their diet, but certainly could be an occasional supplement.

 

[dendroica_john]

I think that any birds that primarily eat insects or grubs would be attracted to suet when their usual diet is scarce.

 

[Katy Penland]

I've had two Ruby-crowned Kinglets (male and female) going after my suet, too, this past month! And for the first time (in 4 years of living here), the Pine Siskins have "discovered" it and 2-3 each day will hang on it for a feed. Not so surprising for the latter, as they're seed-eaters. But the kinglets? Go figure.

 

[streatham]

I just visited a Yellow-throated Warbler in CT today (somewhat lost!!!) that is coming to suet etc at a feeder. I think there are many birds that give suet a try if they can't find theirusual source for food.

Luke

 

[KC Foggin]

I've got Yellow-rumped which fight off anyone near the suet feeder they are at, Pine Warblers and kinglets feeding voraciously at my suet feeders.

 

[columbidae]

Hmmm... I'm surprised I don't get any yellow-rumps at my suet feeder, as common as they are around here in winter. I often get a visit from a ruby-crowned kinglet that passes by as I sit on the patio, but they've never shown the slightest interest in the feeders, either.

 

[JeffMoh]

Suet feeder success

We put up a suet feeder in our front yard (right on the side of the road) a few months back and it's been a great success. There is an absolute line of birds at it. Red-bellied Woodpecker and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker squabble constantly over it, and a Downy sneaks in when it can. Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglet visit several times a day every day. Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse and even American Goldfinch visit it, too.

Jeff

 

[HouseFinch]

We put up a suet feeder in our front yard (right on the side of the road) a few months back and it's been a great success. There is an absolute line of birds at it. Red-bellied Woodpecker and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker squabble constantly over it, and a Downy sneaks in when it can. Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglet visit several times a day every day. Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse and even American Goldfinch visit it, too.

Jeff

Wow, you must have to refill that feeder several times a day! || I just saw my warbler as I'm typing this, so she's still here. My Anna's Hummingbird vanished a few days ago for some reason, though.

 

[JeffMoh]

Suet goes fast

Wow, you must have to refill that feeder several times a day! || I just saw my warbler as I'm typing this, so she's still here. My Anna's Hummingbird vanished a few days ago for some reason, though.

Each suet block certainly doesn't last long. I forgot to mention that it's popular with our resident Northern Mockingbird also, and that even our Blue Jays visit it from time to time.

Jeff