Ask the Experts

Advice from our pros about houseplants, bird feeding and more

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QA flock of grackles was devouring my suet, so I switched to an upside-down feeder. But now it seems as if no birds will eat from it. Woodpeckers have ignored it completely. What can I do to attract birds, especially woodpeckers, to the new feeder?

Erroll Jackson MARIETTA, GA

Kenn and Kimberly: Woodpeckers and other acrobatic species can easily access these upside-down feeders, but it can take a while for the birds to notice them and realize that the food is on the underside. One way to help them is to keep the feeder located where you want it, but rig it up with wires so that it's sideways, with the suet on the side instead of underneath. After birds find it, you can gradually shift its position until the food is on the underside again. Grackles may mob the feeder at first, but they should visit less often after it's returned to its upside-down position.

Q What's the white ring around this female cardinal's eyes? Is it frost or possibly a disease?

Holly Harnly MYERSTOWN, PA

Kenn and Kimberly: While a number of diseases can affect the eyes of wild birds, this doesn't look like any of the ones we know. (Admittedly, we do not have any training in bird diseases.) It looks like you took this photo in wintry conditions, with some snowflakes or sleet in the air and possible snow in the background, so we suspect this cardinal just has some snow or frost temporarily sticking to the feathers of her face.

Q We noticed these markings on a tree near our bird feeder. What could have done this?

John Spory BOSWELL, PA