Woodpeckers, with their distinctive drumming and acrobatic feats, are a captivating addition to any garden. Their presence signals a healthy ecosystem, and providing them with supplementary food can significantly boost their chances of survival, especially during lean months. But what exactly constitutes the best food to put out for these fascinating birds? This comprehensive guide will delve into the dietary needs of various woodpecker species and explore the most effective and appealing food options to attract them to your yard.
Understanding Woodpecker Diets: More Than Just Bugs
While insects form the cornerstone of a woodpecker’s natural diet, their culinary preferences extend far beyond. Understanding this diversity is crucial when selecting the best foods to offer. Many woodpecker species are omnivorous, supplementing their insect protein with seeds, nuts, fruits, and even sap.
Insectivores: The Backbone of Their Diet
Woodpeckers are renowned for their ability to excavate insects from tree bark. Their specialized beaks and long, sticky tongues are perfectly adapted for this. Common prey includes:
- Carpenter ants
- Wood-boring beetles
- Larvae of various insects
- Spiders
While we cannot directly replicate this natural foraging, we can offer foods that provide similar nutritional value.
Nuts and Seeds: A High-Energy Supplement
Many woodpecker species have a strong affinity for nuts and seeds, which provide essential fats and carbohydrates. These are particularly important during breeding season and for maintaining energy reserves during colder months.
- Peanuts: Unsalted, in-shell or shelled peanuts are a universal favorite among woodpeckers. The high fat content makes them an excellent energy source.
- Sunflower Seeds: Black oil sunflower seeds are a staple in many birdseed mixes. Their thin shells are easy for woodpeckers to crack, and they are packed with protein and fat.
- Suet: This animal fat is a highly sought-after high-energy food, especially in winter. It’s often mixed with seeds, nuts, and dried fruit to create a complete woodpecker treat.
- Nuts: Whole or shelled nuts like walnuts, pecans, and almonds can also be offered, provided they are unsalted and preferably chopped or crushed for easier consumption.
Fruits and Berries: A Sweet Treat
Some woodpecker species, like the Flicker and the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, incorporate fruits and berries into their diet. Offering these can attract a wider variety of woodpecker species.
- Dried Fruit: Raisins, cranberries, and cherries are popular choices. Ensure they are unsweetened and unsulfured.
- Fresh Fruit: Halved apples, oranges, or even grapes can be hung from feeders. These provide moisture and a different textural element.
Sap: A Specialized Preference
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is unique in its consumption of tree sap. They drill rows of small holes in trees to feed on the sap, which also attracts insects. While replicating this precisely is difficult, some commercial suet mixes incorporate molasses or other sugary components that might mimic this appeal.
The Best Food Options for Attracting Woodpeckers
Based on their diverse dietary needs, certain foods stand out as being particularly effective in attracting and sustaining woodpeckers.
1. Suet: The King of Woodpecker Foods
Suet is arguably the single best food you can offer to attract woodpeckers. It is a high-calorie, high-fat food source that is particularly crucial during the colder months when insects are scarce.
Types of Suet Feeders
The type of suet feeder you choose can influence which woodpecker species visit.
- Cage Feeders: These are the most common and versatile. They typically have a mesh or wire cage that holds a suet cake. Many have tailsprings, which are perches that extend downwards, allowing woodpeckers to cling vertically while feeding. This is ideal for woodpeckers.
- Upside-Down Feeders: These feeders hold suet cakes that are suspended horizontally. This design is particularly effective as it deters larger, less desirable birds like starlings and grackles, allowing woodpeckers exclusive access.
Making Your Own Suet
For the truly dedicated bird enthusiast, making your own suet can be a rewarding experience and allows for complete control over ingredients. A basic recipe includes:
- Rendered beef fat (suet)
- Peanut butter
- Cornmeal
- Rolled oats
- Sunflower seeds
- Dried fruit (optional)
Melt the suet, mix in the other ingredients, and pour into molds to cool and solidify. This homemade suet can then be placed in a suet cage.
2. Peanuts: A High-Energy Treat
Unsalted peanuts are a perennial favorite among woodpeckers. They provide protein, fat, and fiber, making them a valuable addition to their diet.
Peanut Feeders
- Mesh Bags: Small mesh bags filled with whole, unsalted peanuts allow woodpeckers to cling and peck at the nuts.
- Peanut Feeders: Specifically designed feeders hold shelled peanuts and are often made of wire mesh, allowing easy access.
Shelled vs. In-Shell
Both shelled and in-shell peanuts are good options. In-shell peanuts can provide a longer feeding experience for the birds and can be more attractive to certain species. Ensure the shells are removed before offering shelled peanuts.
3. Sunflower Seeds: A Staple for Seed-Eating Woodpeckers
Black oil sunflower seeds are a nutritional powerhouse for many birds, including woodpeckers. Their high fat content and ease of opening make them a prime choice.
Sunflower Seed Feeders
- Hopper Feeders: These feeders dispense seeds as birds eat and are suitable for offering sunflower seeds.
- Tray Feeders: Open tray feeders also work well, though they may attract a wider variety of birds, including ground feeders.
- Peanut Feeders: Many feeders designed for peanuts can also accommodate black oil sunflower seeds.
4. Nyjer Thistle Seed (For Specific Species)
While not a primary woodpecker food, some smaller woodpecker species, like the Downy Woodpecker, may occasionally forage on Nyjer thistle. It’s often included in general birdseed mixes.
Choosing the Right Feeders
The type of feeder you select plays a significant role in what birds you attract. For woodpeckers, feeders that allow them to cling vertically are ideal.
- Tail-Prop Feeders: These are essentially suet cages with a long perch designed to accommodate a woodpecker’s tail for support.
- Upside-Down Suet Feeders: As mentioned earlier, these are excellent for selective feeding of woodpeckers by making it difficult for larger birds to access.
- Mesh Peanut Feeders: These allow woodpeckers to hang on and extract peanuts.
Placement and Maintenance: Ensuring Success
Simply putting out food isn’t enough; strategic placement and regular maintenance are key to a successful woodpecker feeding station.
Location, Location, Location
- Near Trees and Shrubs: Woodpeckers feel secure when there is cover nearby. Placing feeders within sight of trees or dense shrubs provides them with a safe haven from predators.
- Away from Squirrel-Heavy Areas: Squirrels are notorious for raiding bird feeders. If squirrels are a significant problem, consider using squirrel-proof feeders or baffles.
- Visibility: Ensure the feeders are visible to birds, but not so exposed that they feel vulnerable.
Hygiene is Key
Maintaining clean feeders is crucial for preventing the spread of diseases among birds.
- Regular Cleaning: Clean suet feeders at least once every two weeks, and more frequently in warm, damp weather. Use a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water, rinse thoroughly, and allow to dry completely before refilling.
- Inspect for Mold: Discard any moldy suet cakes immediately.
- Inspect for Seed Quality: Ensure seeds are fresh and not clumped or dusty, which can indicate spoilage.
Seasonal Considerations
The best foods and feeding strategies can vary depending on the season.
- Winter: Suet, peanuts, and high-fat seed mixes are essential during winter when natural food sources are scarce.
- Spring and Summer: While insects are abundant, offering suet and high-protein seeds can still be beneficial, especially during nesting and fledging periods. Fresh fruits can also be a welcome treat.
Beyond Food: Creating a Woodpecker-Friendly Habitat
While food is important, a truly woodpecker-friendly yard offers more than just feeders.
- Provide Water: A birdbath, especially one with a shallow basin, can attract woodpeckers for drinking and bathing.
- Offer Nesting Sites: If you have mature trees, consider leaving dead snags if safe to do so, as these provide natural nesting cavities. Alternatively, consider installing a nesting box designed for woodpeckers.
- Plant Native Trees and Shrubs: Native plants provide natural food sources like insects, berries, and seeds, as well as essential habitat.
Common Woodpecker Species and Their Preferences
While many woodpecker foods are universally appealing, there can be slight variations in preference among species.
- Downy Woodpecker: A common visitor to feeders, they readily consume suet, peanuts, and sunflower seeds.
- Hairy Woodpecker: Similar to the Downy Woodpecker, they are attracted to suet, peanuts, and sunflower seeds.
- Northern Flicker: These ground-feeding woodpeckers also enjoy ants but are often attracted to suet, peanuts, and occasionally fruit.
- Red-bellied Woodpecker: Known for their love of suet, peanuts, and corn, they are often seen clinging to feeders.
- Pileated Woodpecker: While primarily insectivores, these larger woodpeckers may visit feeders for suet and nuts when natural food is scarce.
A well-stocked bird feeder with a variety of high-quality foods is the best way to ensure you’re catering to the diverse tastes of your local woodpecker population. By understanding their dietary needs and providing the right food in the right way, you can transform your yard into a haven for these remarkable birds. The reward is not only the joy of observing their antics but also the satisfaction of contributing to their well-being and the health of your local ecosystem.
This comprehensive approach, focusing on nutritious foods like suet and peanuts, the use of appropriate feeders, strategic placement, and good hygiene, will undoubtedly lead to a thriving woodpecker community in your garden. Enjoy the drumming, the flashes of color, and the spirited presence of these captivating birds!
What is the primary dietary need of woodpeckers?
Woodpeckers have a highly specialized diet that primarily consists of insects and larvae found within tree bark and wood. Their strong beaks and barbed tongues are perfectly adapted for this foraging behavior, allowing them to extract their prey from deep crevices. This insectivorous diet is crucial for their protein intake and provides them with essential nutrients for energy and survival.
However, while insects are their main food source, woodpeckers also supplement their diet with other food items, especially during seasons when insect populations are lower or to meet specific nutritional requirements. These supplements can include nuts, seeds, berries, and sap, particularly from trees like maples and birches. Providing a diverse range of food options can cater to these supplementary needs and attract a wider variety of woodpecker species.
What are the best types of suet for woodpeckers?
Plain, high-quality suet is an excellent and highly favored food for woodpeckers, as it provides a rich source of fat and calories, which is particularly important during colder months when insects are scarce. Look for suet cakes that are made with rendered beef fat and contain a good mix of seeds, such as sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and millet. Avoid suet cakes with excessive fillers or artificial ingredients, as these offer less nutritional value.
For an even more appealing option, consider suet cakes that are specifically formulated with added ingredients that woodpeckers love, such as dried fruit, peanut pieces, or mealworms. These additions can significantly increase the appeal and nutritional content of the suet, providing them with a more complete and satisfying meal. Offering suet in a suet cage feeder that is easily accessible for woodpeckers and protected from larger birds can ensure they get their fair share.
Are peanuts a good food to offer woodpeckers?
Yes, peanuts are a highly nutritious and very attractive food source for many woodpecker species, providing them with essential protein, fats, and vitamins. They are particularly drawn to shelled peanuts, whether offered whole, chopped, or in peanut butter form. Offering peanuts in a suitable feeder, such as a wire mesh feeder or a platform feeder, allows them to easily cling and feed.
When offering peanut butter, it is best to dilute it with a bit of cornmeal or flour to make it less sticky and more manageable for their beaks. You can also mix peanut butter with birdseed and roll it into balls to hang from trees. It’s important to ensure the peanuts are unsalted and raw, as added salt can be harmful to birds, and roasted peanuts can lose some of their natural appeal and nutritional value.
What kind of seeds are most attractive to woodpeckers?
Black oil sunflower seeds are universally considered one of the most attractive and nutritious seeds for woodpeckers. Their thin shells are easy to crack, and the high oil content provides them with essential energy and fat. Other beneficial seeds include striped sunflower seeds, which are slightly larger but still appealing, and safflower seeds, which are often less appealing to squirrels and other competing backyard birds.
Cracked corn and whole kernel corn are also popular choices for larger woodpecker species like flickers. Millet and nyjer (thistle) seeds are generally less favored by woodpeckers compared to sunflower or corn but can still be found in mixed seed blends that attract a variety of birds. Offering seeds in hopper feeders, tube feeders with large perches, or on platform feeders will cater to their feeding styles.
Should I offer mealworms to woodpeckers?
Yes, dried or live mealworms are an excellent and highly sought-after food source for woodpeckers, mimicking their natural diet of insects and providing a concentrated source of protein. Many species, especially those that are more insectivorous like downy woodpeckers and hairy woodpeckers, will readily eat mealworms. Offering mealworms in a shallow dish or a specialized mealworm feeder will make them accessible and visible.
It’s best to offer mealworms in moderation as a treat, rather than as a staple food, due to their cost and the importance of a varied diet. You can also rehydrate dried mealworms with a little water before offering them. Ensure the mealworms are kept fresh and avoid leaving large quantities out that could spoil or attract unwanted pests, as they are a perishable food item.
What about offering fruit to woodpeckers?
Certain fruits can be an appealing and beneficial addition to a woodpecker’s diet, especially during the fall and winter months when natural fruit sources might be scarce. Many woodpeckers enjoy nectar-rich fruits like berries (such as blueberries, raspberries, and cherries), grapes, and apple pieces. These fruits provide them with moisture, vitamins, and natural sugars.
You can offer fruit on platform feeders or by impaling pieces on branches or suet feeders. It’s important to offer fresh, ripe fruit and to remove any uneaten portions promptly to prevent spoilage and the attraction of insects or mold. Avoid offering fruits with pits, as these can be a choking hazard, and always ensure the fruit is free from pesticides or any chemical treatments.
Are there any foods I should avoid putting out for woodpeckers?
Yes, there are certain foods that should be avoided when feeding woodpeckers to ensure their health and safety. Bread products, crackers, and other processed human foods are generally low in nutritional value and can lead to digestive issues. These items lack the essential fats and proteins woodpeckers need and can displace more beneficial foods in their diet.
Additionally, avoid offering salty or seasoned foods, as the high sodium content can be harmful to birds. Moldy or rancid food should also never be offered, as it can contain toxins. It’s also generally advisable to avoid feeding whole nuts that are too large for them to crack or consume, as they might get stuck in their beaks. Always ensure feeders are kept clean to prevent the spread of diseases.