Attracting Woodpeckers to Your Backyard

Discover the Joy of Watching Colorful Woodpeckers in Your Own Yard

Woodpeckers are fascinating birds that bring vibrant colors, unique behaviors, and valuable pest control to any backyard. With their bold personalities and entertaining antics, these birds are a delight to observe. By creating a woodpecker-friendly environment, you can attract these amazing creatures and enjoy their company year-round. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the steps you can take to make your yard irresistible to woodpeckers and keep them coming back for more.

Understanding Woodpeckers

Woodpecker Species to Attract

There are over 200 species of woodpeckers worldwide, with more than 20 species regularly found in North America. The specific woodpeckers that visit your yard will depend on your geographic location and the available habitat. Some of the most common woodpecker species that thrive in suburban areas include:

• Downy woodpecker
• Hairy woodpecker
• Northern flicker
• Pileated woodpecker
• Red-bellied woodpecker
• Red-headed woodpecker
• Red-breasted sapsucker
• Yellow-bellied sapsucker

Each species has slightly different preferences for food, plants, and water sources, but their basic needs are similar enough that a woodpecker-friendly yard can attract multiple species. To successfully attract these birds, it's crucial to provide them with suitable food, water, and shelter.

Woodpecker Behavior and Adaptations

Woodpeckers are known for their unique vertical foraging on tree trunks and branches. They use their strong, chisel-like beaks to excavate holes in search of insects, sap, and other food sources. Their stiff tail feathers act as a prop, allowing them to cling to tree bark while pecking away.

Another distinctive behavior of woodpeckers is their drumming. They use their beaks to rapidly tap on resonant surfaces, such as tree trunks or metal gutters, to establish territory, attract mates, and communicate with other woodpeckers. While this drumming can sometimes be a nuisance if directed at your home's siding or eaves, it's an essential part of their natural behavior.

Providing Food for Woodpeckers

Natural Food Sources

Woodpeckers are omnivores, feeding on a variety of insects, larvae, nuts, fruits, and sap. By planting native trees and shrubs that provide these food sources, you can create a self-sustaining ecosystem that attracts woodpeckers and other wildlife.

• Some plants that are attractive to woodpeckers include:
• Oak trees, which support a wide variety of insects and provide acorns
• Fruit-bearing trees like apple, cherry, and mulberry
• Nut-bearing trees like hickory and pecan
• Native berry bushes like serviceberry and dogwood

Leaving dead or dying trees (known as snags) on your property provides an excellent food source for woodpeckers, as they often excavate nesting cavities and forage for insects in the decaying wood.

Supplemental Feeding

While woodpeckers can find most of their food in a well-planted yard, supplemental feeding can help attract them and provide a reliable food source, especially during the winter months when natural food may be scarce.

Some effective ways to feed woodpeckers include:

• Suet feeders: Offer high-energy suet cakes or nuggets, which are a favorite of many woodpecker species.
• Nut feeders: Fill feeders with whole peanuts or shelled nuts like sunflower seeds, which woodpeckers relish.
• Fruit feeders: Hang sliced apples, oranges, or bananas to attract woodpeckers that feed on soft fruits.
• Hummingbird feeders: Some woodpeckers, like the red-bellied and red-headed species, will visit hummingbird feeders for the sweet nectar.

When setting up feeders, place them near trees or shrubs to provide cover and perches for the woodpeckers. Avoid placing feeders too close to windows to prevent collisions.

Providing Water for Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers need a reliable source of fresh, clean water for drinking, bathing, and preening. While they may visit bird baths, they can be shy about using them. To make your water source more attractive, consider:

• Using a pedestal-style or ground-level bird bath with a shallow depth of 1-2 inches
• Adding a simple bubbler or dripper to create movement and catch the birds' attention
• Placing the bath in a more secluded area of your yard, away from high-traffic zones
• Keeping the bath clean and free of debris to minimize the risk of disease

In colder climates, a heated bird bath is essential to provide woodpeckers with unfrozen water throughout the winter months.

Creating Shelter for Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers need safe, secure shelter for roosting, nesting, and protection from predators and inclement weather. Mature trees, both deciduous and coniferous, are the preferred habitat for these birds. Planting several trees close together to create a miniature woodland or thicket-like area will help woodpeckers feel most comfortable.

Leaving snags (dead or dying trees) and hollow trees intact is beneficial, as woodpeckers often excavate nesting cavities in these structures. If you must remove a tree, consider leaving a tall stump or creating a brush pile for the woodpeckers to use as shelter.

Birdhouses can also provide nesting and roosting opportunities for woodpeckers, but they must be the proper size and have the right entrance hole dimensions to be suitable. Downy woodpeckers and other small species may use birdhouses for overnight roosting, even in the winter.

Dealing with Unwanted Woodpecker Behavior

While attracting woodpeckers to your yard can be a delightful experience, these birds can sometimes become problematic if they start pecking on inappropriate surfaces, such as wooden siding, eaves, or fences. Left unchecked, woodpeckers can cause significant damage to your home's exterior.

If you notice woodpeckers drumming or pecking in unwanted areas, take action to discourage their behavior:

• Repair any existing damage and cover the area with wire mesh or netting to prevent further pecking.
• Install reflective, moving objects like windsocks or spinners near the problem areas to scare the birds away without harming them.
• Use a high-pressure water spray or loud noises to startle woodpeckers when they approach the problem areas, but avoid using these methods excessively, as they can stress the birds.

Remember, woodpeckers are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so it's illegal to harm or kill them. Focus on deterring their unwanted behavior through habitat modification and non-lethal methods.

Conclusion

Attracting woodpeckers to your backyard is a rewarding experience that brings vibrant colors, unique behaviors, and valuable pest control to your outdoor space. By providing suitable food, water, and shelter, you can create a woodpecker-friendly environment that keeps these fascinating birds coming back for more. While occasional unwanted pecking may occur, addressing the issue promptly and using humane deterrents can help maintain a harmonious relationship between you and your backyard woodpeckers.

Embrace the joy of watching these entertaining birds and enjoy the benefits they bring to your yard. With a little effort and the right habitat, you can transform your outdoor space into a haven for woodpeckers and other wildlife, creating a beautiful and sustainable ecosystem for all to enjoy.