When it comes to attracting woodpeckers to your yard, offering the right foods is essential. These fascinating birds, with their distinctive pecking behavior, play a crucial role in maintaining the health of trees by controlling insect populations. Understanding what woodpeckers eat and how to provide for them can enhance your bird-watching experience and support the local ecosystem. Here, we’ll delve into 12 woodpecker foods that can make your feeding efforts more effective and rewarding.
1. Suet
Suet is perhaps the most popular food choice for woodpeckers. It’s a high-energy food made from animal fat, often mixed with seeds, nuts, and fruits. Woodpeckers, especially those species that frequent backyards like the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, love suet. You can purchase suet cakes or make your own by melting down beef fat and mixing it with birdseed, nuts, or dried fruits. Hanging suet feeders, especially during the colder months when natural food sources are scarce, can be a great way to attract woodpeckers.
2. Sunflower Seeds
Woodpeckers enjoy sunflower seeds, especially the black oil sunflower seeds, which are easier to crack open than the larger striped seeds. Offering sunflower seeds in a feeder that allows the birds to easily access the seeds can be an effective way to attract woodpeckers. Look for feeders designed with small perches or trays where woodpeckers can land and feed comfortably.
3. Nuts
Nuts are another favorite among woodpeckers, with peanuts being particularly popular. Almonds, walnuts, and pecans are also enjoyed by these birds. You can offer nuts whole or chopped, depending on the species of woodpecker you’re trying to attract and the type of feeder you’re using. Some woodpeckers might prefer smaller pieces, while larger species can manage whole nuts.
4. Fresh Fruits
Offering fresh fruits like apples, oranges, or berries can attract woodpeckers, especially during the spring and summer when they’re feeding their young. Fresh fruits provide essential nutrients and can be a welcome addition to their diet. You can place fruits on a platform feeder or even on the ground, though be mindful of other animals that might be attracted to fruit.
5. Insects
Insects are a crucial part of a woodpecker’s diet, serving as a primary source of protein. If you’re looking to attract woodpeckers naturally, consider creating an insect-friendly environment by planting native vegetation that attracts insects. Avoid using pesticides, as these can harm woodpeckers and other wildlife by reducing their food sources.
6. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a treat for many woodpeckers. You can spread peanut butter directly onto tree trunks or use peanut butter feeders. This can be especially appealing during the winter months when other food sources are scarce. Mixing peanut butter with seeds or nuts can create a nutritious and enticing snack for woodpeckers.
7. Mealworms
Mealworms are an excellent source of protein for woodpeckers, especially when they’re feeding their young. Live or roasted mealworms can be offered in a feeder, although live mealworms might be more effective at attracting birds. Mealworms are particularly attractive to species that spend more time on the ground, like the Red-headed Woodpecker.
8. Bark Butter
Bark butter is a combination of peanut butter, seeds, and sometimes nuts, formulated specifically for woodpeckers and nuthatches. It can be spread onto the bark of trees or used in specialized feeders designed for bark butter. This food source is rich in calories and can be particularly appealing during colder weather.
9. Hummingbird Nectar
Some woodpeckers, like the sapsuckers, will occasionally drink from hummingbird feeders, especially if the nectar is rich in sugars. Offering a sugar-water mixture (four parts water to one part sugar) in a feeder can attract these birds. However, be sure to clean the feeders regularly to prevent mold growth.
10. Sap
For woodpeckers that regularly consume sap, like the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, offering a sap-like substitute can be attractive. While it’s not practical to offer real sap, providing foods high in sugar, like fruit or nectar, can be an alternative.
11. Commercial Woodpecker Foods
There are commercial woodpecker foods available that are specifically formulated to meet the nutritional needs of these birds. These mixes often include a combination of seeds, nuts, fruits, and sometimes suet, designed to attract a variety of woodpecker species.
12. Native Berries
Native berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries, are a natural food source for many woodpeckers. Planting berry-producing shrubs in your yard can attract woodpeckers and provide them with a nutritious and reliable food source throughout the year.
Creating a Woodpecker-Friendly Environment
Attracting woodpeckers to your yard involves more than just offering the right foods. Creating a woodpecker-friendly environment that includes trees for nesting and roosting, sources of water, and an insect-friendly habitat can make your space more appealing to these birds. Avoiding the use of pesticides and maintaining a diverse range of native plants can help ensure a healthy and thriving local ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to attract woodpeckers to my yard?
+To attract woodpeckers, offer a variety of food sources including suet, sunflower seeds, nuts, and fruits. Creating a woodpecker-friendly habitat with native trees and plants, and avoiding the use of pesticides, can also make your yard more appealing to these birds.
How can I protect my trees from woodpecker damage?
+While woodpeckers can cause damage to trees, especially when drumming or foraging for insects, you can protect your trees by wrapping the trunks with a physical barrier like plastic or metal sheeting, or using visual deterrents to discourage woodpeckers from drumming on specific trees.
Can I feed woodpeckers in the summer?
+Yes, you can feed woodpeckers in the summer, but it's essential to offer foods that are appropriate for the season. Fresh fruits, insects, and nectar can be particularly appealing during the warmer months when woodpeckers are feeding their young.
By offering a diverse range of foods and creating a welcoming environment, you can attract woodpeckers to your yard and enjoy watching these fascinating birds up close. Remember, each species of woodpecker has its unique preferences, so experimenting with different foods and feeders can help you discover what works best for the woodpeckers in your area.
