There probably was an accipiter nearby. I've seen birds freeze in place for 
a very long time until the hawk flies away, because any movement would 
attract the predator's attention. In fact, if you notice an oddly motionless 
bird at your feeder, that's a good clue to scan the vicinity for a sharpie 
or Cooper's.

Janet Millenson
Potomac, MD (Montgomery County)

----------------------------------------------------------------
"Look at the birds!" -- Pascal the parrot
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "June Tveekrem" <>
To: <>
Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2008 3:48 PM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Fwd: Is this normal behavior for red-breasted nuthatch?


| Have any of you ever seen a Red-breasted Nuthatch just hang upside down
| on a feeder perch and not want to move? I haven't. See the message below
| for details and this link for a photo:
| http://www.pbase.com/spatterson/image/92033445
|
| -- 
| June Tveekrem
| Columbia, Maryland
| tweekiebird|AT|southernspreadwing.com
|
|
| -------- Original Message --------
| Subject: [mou] Is this normal behavior for redbreasted nuthatch?
| Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2008 10:46
| From: Steve Patterson <>
| To: <>
|
|
|
| I know these birds feed upside down on trees, but have never seen this
| behavior on my feeders before. The bird hung upside down on the feeder,
| doing nothing. When I approached (I thought it might be hurt) it
| reluctantly flew to a nearby tree. Warming in the sun, maybe? Curious what
| people think. Photo here:
| http://www.pbase.com/spatterson/image/92033445
|
|
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|