Momcat Kelly

10/09/2026

Wow!! Community Science in action 🙌🏻

Local birders document the first worldwide record of a European Starling feeding a Pileated Woodpecker nestling, a behavior never before documented in this species. Right here in Middle Tennessee!

Robin Nation and Jane Powell were the field observers and Dr. Jeff Walck, authored the following scientific paper now in the Tennessee Ornithological Society journal, The Migrant.

The field work and data collection was a prime example of citizen science in action!

Here is the published article:

The Migrant 96(3): 70-71, 2025

ROUND TABLE NOTE

CROSS-SPECIES FEEDING OF PILEATED WOODPECKER NESTLINGS BY EURO-
PEAN STARLING – In Cedars of Lebanon State Park (Wilson County, TN), a pair of Pi-
leated Woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) established a cavity nest in a wooden light pole.
This pole is at the edge of a lawn and contains several old cavities, approximately 9 m above
ground. The woodpeckers were first spotted on the pole on 29 March 2025 (eBird checklist
S221528755), and copulation was observed on 12 April 2025 (S225028046). The woodpeck-
ers occupied the cavity afterwards and occasionally were fighting with a European Starling
(Sturnus vulgaris) over the cavity. By 22 May 2025, the adult woodpeckers were feeding
three nestlings (S241201323).

Figure 1. Male European Starling feeding a beetle to a Pileated Woodpecker nestling on
29 May 2025 in Cedars of Lebanon State Park (Wilson County, TN). Photo by R. Nation.

See photo above.

Between 29-31 May 2025, a male starling (evidenced by blue at base of bill) was observed
feeding a beetle and caterpillar to the nestlings a few times during our visits at approximately once per hour (Figure 1). The starling would feed the woodpecker nestlings from outside the cavity, but other times, it would enter the cavity and stay inside for up to about 10 seconds presumably feeding the nestlings (S244156511, S244658893, S245176065,
S245017119).

During 4 hours of observations on 31 May 2025, no woodpeckers were seen
or heard while the starlings were feeding the nestlings, which appeared at the cavity en-
trance every 1-1.5 minutes and occasionally made several loud calls (S245176065).
The woodpeckers were not present at the cavity on 2 June and 4 June 2025; apparently by these dates the nestlings had fledged. However, two adult starlings left the cavity in consecutive order on the latter date.

THE MIGRANT

Interspecific feeding has been documented in 107 bird species worldwide (Shy 1982,
Harmáčková 2021). European Starlings have been observed feeding young of Downy
Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens), Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus), Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), and Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) (Prescott 1971, Qualls 1998, Burbridge 2018, Janus and Gow 2021); the s*x of the starlings in these studies was not mentioned. No previous observations have been reported for Pileated Woodpeckers, and thus, this is the first report for this species. Young of North American members of the Picidae have been fed by Gray catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio), Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli), and Northern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon), and by other members of the same family (Shy 1982, Harmáčková 2021). The cause(s) of this behavior are unknown, but it is generally associated with males attracted to the calls of nestlings in nearby nests of another species (Harmáčková 2021).

Robin Nation, Lebanon, Tennessee, [email protected]

Jane Powell, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, [email protected]

Jeffrey L. Walck, Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
[email protected]

LITERATURE CITED
Burbidge, G. 2018. European Starling pair feeds a juvenile Downy Woodpecker. Ontario
Birds 36:170-173.
Harmáčková, L. 2021. Interspecific feeding in birds: A short overview. Acta Ornithologi-
ca 56:1-14.
Janus, D and EA Gow. 2021. Interspecific parental care by a European Starling (Sturnus
vulgaris) at the nest of a Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus). The Wilson Journal of
Ornithology 133:348-354.
Prescott, KW. 1971. Unusual activity of starlings at Yellow-shafted Flicker nest. Wilson Bulletin 83:195-196.
Qualls, B. 1998. European Starling “helper” at late season Red-bellied Woodpecker
nest. Mississippi Kite 28:26-28.
Shy, MM. 1982. Interspecific feeding among birds: a review. Journal of Field Ornithology
53:370-393.

Www.tnbirds.org

10/08/2026

Love this! 🐦

After noticing and tracking bird strikes on the law library windows on campus, we partnered with Wayne State University to install bird-safe windows. What a terrific partnership! Thank you WSU, for making your campus safe for birds! Read more about this cooperative project at blog link in bio or https://www.detroitbirdalliance.org/news-stories/makes-windows-safer-for-birds-on-wayne-state-universitys-campus

10/08/2026

Had a great time with Patterson Park Garden Club at Joiner Fair tonight! 🌿 Thanks Grosse Pointe Public Library for bringing back this amazing community event! So many great conversations and organizations. You’ll find them all listed on the library’s website here: https://grossepointelibrary.org/community-information

10/07/2026

TONIGHT, 10/07: Extension educator Lindsey Kerr is hosting another FREE Spotted Lanternfly workshop at Palmer Park in Detroit! 🚨 Link in comments

10/06/2026

Don’t forget to look up! The biggest sky gazing week of the year is here ✨🌘 Before sunrise this morning, Mars was clearly visible above a waning crescent moon and it will continue to appear brighter. As the week goes on, planets will also align and galaxies, shooting stars and more will be visible as we head toward the darkest night on Saturday ~ the New Moon 🌑 Learn what to look for when via The Secrets Of The Universe

10/05/2026

Those magical nature moments indeed 🤩

ONE LATE-AUGUST DAY, Nancy Lawson—or “The Humane Gardener,” as she is perhaps better known—was making a video about a spicebush swallowtail butterfly when something just beyond it in her Maryland yard caught her eye. A

10/05/2026

Happening tomorrow in Detroit! There's still space in this FREE workshop. Learn about Spotted Lanternfly and how to DIY a trap. Registration link the comments.

10/05/2026

Did you know? Spotted Lanternflies were first detected in the US in Pennsylvania in 2014 👀 As populations continue to grow here in Michigan, we can learn a lot from areas on the east coast that have been experiencing large numbers for a while now. Removal of SLFs is still encouraged, but nature is also starting to respond!

Community scientists and researchers are noticing that several native species are beginning to recognize them as food ~ this includes bats, spiders, birds and even green frogs! I’ve spotted a few SLFs, both nymphs and adults, caught in webs—like this one on Belle Isle over the weekend 🕸️ As conservationists continue to make informed decisions about management, YOUR observations can make a difference! There is still so much we don’t know! Get involved by submitting your photos to Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN) or on iNaturalist.org.

Tomorrow, Tuesday 10/06, I’ll be hosting a FREE workshop with Michigan State University Extension educator, Lindsey Kerr at Griffin Gardens in Detroit 📣 Meet us at 6pm to talk Community Science and Spotted Lanternflies! All ages are welcome, Link to register in comments ⬇️

10/05/2026

Migration is peaking, and we will witness over half a billion birds flying through tonight!

With glass windows and light pollution posing major threats to their navigation, make sure you implement bird-safety practices at the highest level. This means combining:
Feather Friendly visual markers or Bird Divert™ UV markers, with
practices, ensuring all unnecessary lights are turned off at night.

Learn more about the BirdCast Migration Dashboard here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/heres-how-to-use-the-new-migration-forecast-tools-from-birdcast/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_t7sxufxgyw
Migration movement graphic courtesy of BirdCast: https://birdcast.info/migration-tools/migration-forecast-maps/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_k5x3jtqmsa

Lights Out alert graphic courtesy of Colorado State University’s AeroEco Lab: https://aeroecolab.com/uslights?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_yuvfj1iqs5

Thank you for protecting our birds.
Treat Glass. Save Birds.

10/04/2026

UPDATED: Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is spreading here in Michigan, but it’s important we spread more positivity!

🔎 Research is ongoing and your observations can make a difference! In other states where SLF populations are dense, people are starting to observe predation by birds, spiders, yellowjackets, snakes and even green frogs! A recent community science survey out of Penn State also launched a study where they’re looking at milkweed as a possible ally in helping reduce numbers (separate post incoming!)

💔 They’re not “bad bugs,” they’re just out of place. We have a responsibility to help protect our native ecosystems, and that includes management when appropriate. But, the words we use matter and can potentially cause more harm. Please be kind and remember it’s not their fault that they’re here. Human activity has allowed them to spread.

🪰 Don’t panic! Start by learning about their lifecycle and timing. SLF aren’t actually flies (or butterflies, or moths) and they don’t bite or sting! They are planthoppers that experience instars (stages of molt.) Swipe to see what they look like at different times of year. Though adults have wings, they can’t fly very far (their instinct is to hop away!)

🌿 If you have Tree of Heaven on your property consider managing it, if possible. If you’ve seen adults, installing a DIY Lampshade trap from August - November is another option. This targets egg masses, NOT adults, and there are NO pesticides or sticky glues. Swipe for more via Michigan State University Extension

🧐 There are many native SLF look-a-likes, from Red (spotted) Milkweed beetles to Underwing moths and more. Download the free iNaturalist.org app for help with ID. Not only will this amazing community help you learn more about your local nature, your observations can contribute to real scientific research!