Attracting woodpeckers to your yard is a rewarding experience for any nature enthusiast. These fascinating birds, with their distinctive drumming and vibrant plumage, bring a unique energy to the garden. But what exactly should you offer to entice them? Understanding their natural diet is the first step, and from there, we can explore the best supplementary foods to provide. This comprehensive guide will delve into the dietary needs of various woodpecker species and recommend the most effective and beneficial food options to create a woodpecker paradise in your own backyard.
Understanding the Woodpecker Diet: A Natural Foundation
Before we talk about feeders and specific food items, it’s crucial to grasp what woodpeckers eat in their natural habitat. Their diet is remarkably diverse, reflecting their varied foraging strategies and the environments they inhabit. Primarily, woodpeckers are insectivores. They are masters at excavating insects, larvae, and eggs from the bark of trees. This constant search for protein is a defining characteristic of their feeding behavior.
However, their diet isn’t solely composed of creepy crawlies. Many woodpecker species also supplement their insect-rich meals with fruits, berries, nuts, and seeds, especially during seasons when insect availability may decrease. Understanding these natural preferences will help us tailor our supplemental feeding efforts.
Key Components of a Woodpecker’s Natural Diet:
- Insects and Larvae: This is the cornerstone of most woodpecker diets. They are particularly fond of ants, beetle larvae, caterpillars, spiders, and other invertebrates found in decaying wood, tree crevices, and under bark.
- Fruits and Berries: Many species, such as the Northern Flicker and Red-bellied Woodpecker, readily consume wild berries like sumac, dogwood, elderberry, and pokeberries. They will also eat cultivated fruits like grapes and cherries.
- Nuts and Seeds: While not their primary food source, some woodpeckers will crack open acorns, walnuts, and sunflower seeds when available.
- Sap: Certain woodpeckers, most notably the sapsuckers, have a unique feeding strategy involving drilling small holes into trees to consume sap and the insects attracted to it.
The Best Foods to Offer: Replicating Nature’s Bounty
Now that we understand their natural inclinations, let’s translate this into practical food offerings for your backyard. The goal is to provide foods that are both nutritious and appealing, mimicking the diversity and quality of their natural diet.
Suet: The Gold Standard for Woodpeckers
If there’s one food item that stands out as the most universally loved by woodpeckers, it’s suet. Suet is rendered beef fat, and when mixed with other ingredients, it provides a high-energy, calorie-rich food source that woodpeckers crave. This is especially vital during colder months when insects are scarce and birds need extra fuel to maintain their body temperature.
Types of Suet and Their Benefits:
- Plain Rendered Suet: This is the most basic form and is excellent on its own.
- Insect-Infused Suet: Many commercial suet cakes are packed with dried insects like mealworms, waxworms, or crickets. These are highly attractive to woodpeckers as they mimic their natural insect diet.
- Fruit and Nut Suet: Blending suet with dried fruits (like raisins, cranberries, or cherries) and nuts (like peanuts or sunflower seeds) further enhances its appeal and nutritional value.
- Peanut Butter Suet: A mixture of suet and peanut butter is incredibly enticing and provides a good source of protein and fat.
Key Takeaway: Suet is a year-round treat, but it’s particularly crucial during winter for energy and survival.
Peanut Butter: A High-Energy Powerhouse
Peanut butter, unsalted and unsweetened, is another incredibly effective food to attract woodpeckers. Its high fat and protein content make it an excellent energy source. Woodpeckers can peck directly at peanut butter smeared on tree bark or fence posts, or you can offer it in specialized feeders.
Ways to Offer Peanut Butter:
- Smear it on Trees: Apply a generous dollop of peanut butter directly onto the bark of trees in your yard. This mimics their natural foraging behavior.
- Peanut Butter Log Feeders: These are wooden logs drilled with holes, which you can then fill with peanut butter.
- Pine Cone Feeders: Roll pine cones generously in peanut butter, then roll them in birdseed (especially sunflower seeds) to create a DIY feeder. Hang these from branches.
Important Note: Always use natural, unsalted, and unsweetened peanut butter. Avoid xylitol, as it is toxic to birds.
Sunflower Seeds: A Versatile Favorite
While not as high in fat as suet or peanut butter, black oil sunflower seeds are a favorite among many bird species, including several types of woodpeckers. They are relatively easy to digest and provide good protein and healthy fats.
Types of Sunflower Seeds and Their Appeal:
- Black Oil Sunflower Seeds: These have thinner shells and a higher meat-to-shell ratio, making them easier for birds to crack and consume.
- Striped Sunflower Seeds: While less preferred by some smaller birds, many woodpeckers can handle the larger striped seeds.
How to Offer Sunflower Seeds:
- Hopper Feeders: These feeders dispense seeds gradually and are suitable for black oil sunflower seeds.
- Platform Feeders: A simple tray feeder where seeds are spread out can also attract woodpeckers.
- Mixed Seed Blends: Ensure any mixed seed blend you choose has a high percentage of black oil sunflower seeds.
Nuts: A Crunchy and Nutritious Option
Whole nuts or chopped nuts can also be a delightful offering for woodpeckers, especially those species that are adept at cracking them. Peanuts (unsalted), almonds, and walnuts are good choices.
Offering Nuts Effectively:
- Whole Peanuts (in shell): Place these on a platform feeder or scatter them on the ground.
- Chopped Nuts: Mix chopped nuts with suet or peanut butter for added appeal.
- Nut Feeders: Specialized feeders designed to hold whole peanuts or shelled nuts are available.
Fruit and Berries: A Sweet Supplement
While insects are their primary protein source, many woodpeckers enjoy a sweet treat. Offering fruits and berries can attract species like Northern Flickers and Red-bellied Woodpeckers.
Appealing Fruits and Berries:
- Raisins: Soak them in water for a few hours to soften them.
- Grapes: Halve larger grapes to make them more accessible.
- Cherries: Pitted cherries are a good option.
- Orange Halves: Many woodpeckers enjoy pecking at the juicy flesh of oranges.
- Dried Fruit Mixes: Choose mixes without added sugar or artificial ingredients.
Where to Offer Fruit:
- Platform Feeders: Spread out fruit pieces on a platform feeder.
- Hanging Feeders: String grapes or dried fruits on a string for them to peck at.
- Directly on the Ground: For ground-feeding species like flickers.
Specialty Feeders and Placement Strategies
Beyond the food itself, the type of feeder and its placement can significantly influence whether woodpeckers visit your yard.
Types of Feeders that Attract Woodpeckers:
- Suet Cages: These are wire cages that hold suet cakes. They are designed for woodpeckers to cling to the side and peck away.
- Peanut Feeders: Designed to dispense shelled or unshelled peanuts.
- Upside-Down Suet Feeders: Some woodpeckers, like the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, prefer feeding from an upside-down suet feeder, which discourages larger birds like starlings and grackles.
- Tray or Platform Feeders: Useful for offering seeds, nuts, and fruit.
Strategic Feeder Placement:
- Near Trees and Shrubs: Woodpeckers feel more secure when they can easily move between feeders and natural perches. Place feeders on tree trunks or sturdy branches.
- Height Matters: Mount feeders at a height that is comfortable for them to access, typically between 5 and 15 feet off the ground.
- Visibility and Safety: Ensure feeders are visible from a distance but also offer some cover from predators. Avoid placing feeders too close to windows to prevent collisions.
- Multiple Feeding Stations: Offering a variety of foods in different locations can attract a wider range of woodpecker species and reduce competition.
Foods to Avoid: What Not to Offer
Just as important as knowing what to feed woodpeckers is knowing what to avoid. Certain foods can be harmful or offer little nutritional value.
- Bread and Crackers: These are low in nutrients and can fill up a bird’s stomach without providing adequate sustenance.
- Salty Foods: Excess salt is detrimental to birds’ health.
- Moldy or Stale Food: Always ensure the food you offer is fresh and free from mold. Mold can cause respiratory infections and other serious health problems.
- Rancid Nuts or Seeds: Spoiled nuts and seeds can be toxic.
- Sugary Treats: Avoid feeding birds anything with added sugar, as it can disrupt their digestive systems.
Considering Specific Woodpecker Species
While many of the foods listed are broadly appealing, some woodpecker species have slightly different preferences.
- Northern Flicker: These ground feeders have a strong preference for ants in the wild. In your yard, they readily consume suet, peanut butter, and grains like cracked corn and millet offered on a ground-level feeder or platform. They also enjoy fruits and berries.
- Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers: These smaller woodpeckers are fond of suet, peanut butter, and black oil sunflower seeds. They are also known to visit suet feeders hung upside down.
- Red-bellied Woodpecker: A more varied diet for this species includes suet, peanut butter, sunflower seeds, and a good selection of fruits and berries.
- Pileated Woodpecker: These large woodpeckers are primarily insectivores, so attracting them with supplemental food can be challenging. However, they will visit suet feeders and may be drawn to the general activity of other birds at feeders.
- Sapsuckers: While their primary food is sap, they will occasionally eat insects and berries. Offering suet with added fruit may attract them.
Maintaining Your Feeders and Creating a Welcoming Habitat
Cleanliness is paramount when it comes to bird feeding. Regularly cleaning your feeders prevents the spread of disease among birds.
Feeder Maintenance Schedule:
- Daily: Check for food levels and refill as needed. Remove any spoiled food.
- Weekly: Thoroughly clean feeders with a mild soap and water solution. Rinse well and allow to dry completely before refilling. A diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) can be used for a deeper clean, but ensure it is thoroughly rinsed and dried.
Beyond food, creating a woodpecker-friendly habitat is essential.
- Water Source: A bird bath provides drinking water and a place for them to bathe, which is important for feather health.
- Natural Food Sources: Plant native trees and shrubs that produce berries and attract insects.
- Cavity Opportunities: Consider installing a nesting box designed for woodpeckers.
By offering a diverse and nutritious range of foods, maintaining clean feeders, and providing a welcoming habitat, you can significantly increase your chances of attracting these charismatic birds to your yard. The gentle tap-tap-tapping of a woodpecker on your feeder is a delightful sound, and with the right approach, you can enjoy their presence throughout the year. Remember that patience is key; it may take some time for woodpeckers to discover your offerings, but the reward of observing these magnificent creatures up close is well worth the effort.
What is the primary food source that attracts woodpeckers?
The most effective and natural food source to attract woodpeckers is suet. This high-energy fat is crucial for their survival, especially during colder months when insects are scarce. Offering suet in a suitable feeder will mimic their natural diet and provide them with the necessary sustenance.
In addition to suet, woodpeckers are also attracted to foods that resemble the insects and larvae they forage for on tree bark. This includes peanuts, sunflower seeds, and other nuts, as well as mealworms, which can be offered in specialized feeders or even mixed into suet cakes.
Are there specific types of suet that are best for woodpeckers?
Plain, high-quality suet cakes without added fillers like corn or red dye are generally the best option. These unadulterated cakes provide pure fat and nutrients that woodpeckers need. Look for suet cakes that are specifically formulated for wild birds, often containing ingredients like seeds, nuts, or fruit to further enhance their appeal.
For woodpeckers, it’s also beneficial to offer suet cakes that are infused with ingredients like dried insects or mealworms, directly mirroring their natural protein sources. Some specialty suet blends also include peanut butter or dried fruit, which are highly attractive to many woodpecker species.
Can I feed woodpeckers other seeds besides those found in suet cakes?
Yes, while suet is paramount, woodpeckers also appreciate other types of seeds and nuts. Black oil sunflower seeds are a particular favorite for many species due to their high fat content and thin shells, making them easy to crack open. Peanuts, both shelled and unshelled, are also an excellent choice.
Beyond sunflower and peanuts, consider offering shelled walnuts, pecans, or even mixed nuts. These can be placed in specific feeders designed for larger seeds or nuts, or scattered on the ground or on a platform feeder where woodpeckers can easily access them.
What about offering fruit to woodpeckers?
Many woodpecker species enjoy fruit, especially during certain times of the year when it’s a readily available food source. Berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, are highly appealing. Apples, cut into halves or slices, also make a nutritious treat.
You can offer fruit by placing slices on a flat surface, like a platform feeder, or by skewering pieces onto a wire. Ensure that any fruit offered is fresh and not moldy. This can be a great way to supplement their diet and attract a wider variety of woodpecker species.
Are there any foods that I should avoid putting out for woodpeckers?
It is crucial to avoid offering any processed human foods, such as bread, crackers, or sugary cereals. These items lack the essential nutrients woodpeckers require and can even be harmful to their digestive systems. Additionally, avoid salted nuts or seeds, as excess salt can be detrimental to birds.
Never offer moldy or spoiled food, as this can lead to illness. Also, be cautious with birdseed mixes that contain a high proportion of “filler” seeds like red millet or cracked corn, which many woodpecker species tend to ignore. Opt for high-quality mixes or individual ingredients that are known favorites.
How should I present the food to make it easily accessible for woodpeckers?
The best way to offer food for woodpeckers is through specialized feeders. For suet, a suet cage feeder or a suet log feeder is ideal, allowing them to cling and peck at the block. For seeds and nuts, consider offering them in feeders that allow for clinging, such as a tube feeder with perches or a platform feeder.
Woodpeckers are often ground feeders as well, so scattering some food items like unshelled peanuts or sunflower seeds on the ground or on a raised platform can be effective. Providing natural perching opportunities near feeders, such as rough-barked branches or logs, will also encourage them to visit.
How often should I refill feeders and keep them clean?
Feeder refill frequency depends on the number of birds visiting and the amount of food offered. Generally, it’s best to check feeders every few days and refill as needed to ensure a consistent supply. During peak feeding times, like winter, you may need to refill more often.
Regular cleaning is paramount for bird health. Clean feeders at least every two weeks, or more frequently if they become visibly dirty or wet. Use a mild soap and water solution, rinse thoroughly, and allow them to dry completely before refilling. This prevents the spread of diseases and ensures the food remains fresh and appealing.