For woodpecker bird feeder consumers, understanding how to attract these unique birds is essential. This article covers the behavior and preferences of different types of woodpeckers, as well as the necessary steps for creating a safe environment around your feeder. Choosing the right feeder, location, and food is also crucial to attracting woodpeckers. Providing suet, nuts, and fruits are a great way to entice them. Once you’ve successfully attracted woodpeckers to your feeder, it’s important to observe them without disturbing them. By following these tips, you’ll be able to create a peaceful and relaxing environment for both yourself and your feathered visitors.
Understanding Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers are fascinating birds with unique behaviors that make them a delight to watch. They are known for their drumming behavior, which involves pecking on tree trunks or other wooden surfaces with their beaks. There are over 180 species of woodpeckers found all over the world, but not all of them are attracted to bird feeders. In this article, we will discuss the different types of woodpeckers, their diet, habitat, and nesting habits to help you attract them to your feeder.
Types of Woodpeckers
There are three main types of woodpeckers: piculets, wrynecks, and true woodpeckers. True woodpeckers are the most common type and have a distinctive appearance, with a strong beak, long tongue, and zygodactyl feet (two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward). Some common species of true woodpeckers found in North America include the Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, and Pileated Woodpecker.
Diet
Woodpeckers have a varied diet, consisting mainly of insects such as beetles, ants, and termites. They also consume fruits, nuts, and seeds, depending on the season. To attract woodpeckers to your feeder, it’s important to offer them foods that mimic their natural diet. Suet cakes, peanuts, and mealworms are some popular options.
Habitat
Woodpeckers are commonly found in wooded areas, but they can also be found in suburban and urban environments. They prefer mature trees with dead or dying branches, which provide nesting sites and food sources. If you want to attract woodpeckers to your feeder, consider placing it near a tree or in an area with plenty of natural vegetation.
Nesting Habits
Woodpeckers are cavity nesters, meaning they create holes in trees or other wooden structures to build their nests. They usually mate for life and return to the same nesting site year after year. To encourage woodpeckers to nest in your yard, consider putting up a nest box designed specifically for woodpeckers.
Choosing the Right Feeder
The first thing to consider when choosing a feeder for woodpeckers is the type of feeder. Woodpeckers are known to enjoy suet feeders as they love to eat insects and other small animals found in the bark of trees. Suet feeders are typically made of wire mesh or plastic-coated metal, with a cage-like design that holds the suet cake inside. This type of feeder allows the birds to cling onto the wire mesh while they feed, mimicking the experience of searching for food in tree bark.
Another type of feeder that is also suitable for woodpeckers is the hopper feeder. This type of feeder has a platform that holds seeds and nuts which can attract woodpeckers who love to eat sunflower seeds, peanuts, and other types of nuts. Hopper feeders are typically made of wood, and they have a sloping roof that protects the seed from rain and snow.
Once you have chosen a feeder, you need to decide where to place it. Woodpeckers prefer to feed in areas that are secluded and quiet, away from human traffic and noise. Therefore, it is best to place the feeder in a tree or near a wooded area where the birds can feed undisturbed. You can also place the feeder near a water source such as a birdbath, as woodpeckers prefer to drink and bathe before and after feeding.
Finally, it is important to offer the right kind of food to attract woodpeckers to your feeder. As previously mentioned, woodpeckers love suet cakes and seeds. You can purchase pre-made suet cakes at your local bird store or make your own by mixing together ingredients such as peanut butter, cornmeal, and lard. For seeds and nuts, it is best to use a mixture of sunflower seeds, peanuts, and cracked corn.
Providing the Right Food
Providing the right food is crucial for attracting woodpeckers to your feeder. These birds have different preferences when it comes to their diet, and offering the wrong type of food may not be appealing to them. One of the primary foods that woodpeckers enjoy is suet. Suet is a high-energy food that is made from animal fat and can be purchased at most pet stores or online. You can also make your own suet by melting beef fat and adding other ingredients such as peanut butter, cornmeal, and seeds.
In addition to suet, woodpeckers also enjoy eating nuts and fruits. Nuts such as peanuts, almonds, and walnuts are a great source of protein and fats that woodpeckers need to stay healthy. Fruits such as apples, oranges, and berries provide woodpeckers with essential vitamins and minerals. When providing fruits, make sure to cut them into small pieces to make it easier for the birds to eat.
Preparing the food for woodpeckers is also important. You can hang suet blocks or feeders filled with suet at various heights to accommodate the different species of woodpeckers that may visit your feeder. To offer nuts, you can use a mesh feeder or simply sprinkle them on a tray. For fruits, you can hang them on a string or place them on a platform feeder.
It is important to note that woodpeckers are attracted to natural sources of food, such as dead trees and insects. Providing a habitat that mimics their natural environment, such as leaving dead trees or branches in your yard, will encourage woodpeckers to visit your feeder.
Creating a Safe Environment
One of the first things to consider when setting up a woodpecker feeder is its location. It’s important to find a spot that is relatively sheltered from harsh weather conditions and protected from predators such as cats or raccoons. This can be achieved by placing the feeder in a covered area, such as under a tree or eave. It’s also a good idea to avoid putting the feeder too close to other bird feeders, as this can create competition and lead to aggressive behavior.
Another way to create a safe environment for your woodpecker feeder is by providing shelter. Many woodpecker species prefer to nest in trees with cavities, so you can provide this type of shelter by installing a woodpecker house on your property. These houses should be placed at least 10 feet off the ground and away from other bird houses to prevent overcrowding.
In addition to shelter, it’s important to avoid using any dangerous substances around your woodpecker feeder. This includes pesticides, herbicides, and chemicals that can harm birds and other wildlife. Instead, opt for natural solutions such as planting native plants and using organic pest control methods.
It’s also a good idea to clean your woodpecker feeder regularly to prevent the spread of disease. This can be done by washing the feeder with hot, soapy water and disinfecting it with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water.
When selecting food for your woodpecker feeder, it’s important to choose high-quality options that are free from harmful additives. Avoid using cheap, low-quality seed mixes that contain fillers and preservatives, as these can be harmful to birds and attract unwanted visitors like squirrels and rodents.
Enjoying Your Woodpecker Visitors
Observing Woodpeckers
When observing woodpeckers, it is important to remain still and quiet. These birds are easily disturbed by loud noises or sudden movements, so try to stay out of their line of sight as much as possible. Use binoculars or a spotting scope to get a closer look at these wonderful creatures without getting too close. If you want to take photographs of your woodpecker visitors, use a telephoto lens rather than getting too close with a camera.
Creating a Relaxing Environment
To create a peaceful and relaxing environment for both yourself and your feathered guests, consider adding some natural elements to your backyard. Planting trees and shrubs that provide cover and nesting sites can attract more woodpeckers to your feeder. You can also add a water feature such as a birdbath or small pond to encourage woodpeckers and other birds to visit your garden.
Another important factor in creating a relaxing environment for woodpeckers is providing ample food sources. In addition to a woodpecker feeder filled with suet or seed, consider adding a variety of nuts, fruits, and insects to your backyard. This will not only attract more woodpeckers but also provide a healthy and diverse diet for all the birds that visit your garden.
Conclusion
By taking steps to observe woodpeckers without disturbing their natural behavior and creating a peaceful and relaxing environment in your backyard, you can enjoy your feathered visitors to the fullest. Remember to remain quiet and still when observing woodpeckers, plant natural cover and provide a variety of food sources to attract more birds, and above all, appreciate the beauty and wonder of these amazing creatures.
FAQ
Q: What type of birdseed should I use to attract woodpeckers to my feeder?
A: Woodpeckers are attracted to suet, peanuts, and black oil sunflower seeds. Offering a mix of these foods will increase the chances of attracting woodpeckers to your feeder.
Q: How can I make my backyard more woodpecker-friendly?
A: Providing a natural habitat that includes mature trees, dead trees, and brush piles will offer a safe haven for woodpeckers. Additionally, installing nesting boxes and leaving dead limbs in place can help create a woodpecker-friendly environment.
Q: How often should I clean my woodpecker feeder?
A: It’s recommended to clean your woodpecker feeder every 1-2 weeks, or more frequently if it becomes heavily soiled. Use warm soapy water and a brush to scrub the feeder, then rinse thoroughly with water before refilling.
Q: How can I deter other birds from eating at my woodpecker feeder?
A: To deter larger birds, consider using a suet cage with smaller openings or choose a feeder with a weight-activated perch that closes off access to the food when a certain weight is exceeded. Placing the feeder near tree branches or foliage can also help make it less accessible to larger birds.
