The woodpecker is a beautiful and unusual bird that is found throughout North America in densely populated areas with sparse trees as well as tree-lined yards in suburbs. They feed on a large number of unwanted insects and provide bird lovers with hours of entertainment. Since they tend to stay in the same area all year round, it is possible to find them all year round. Here are some ways to get woodpeckers to come to your yard.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Making Your Yard More Attractive To Woodpeckers
Step 1. Recognize your woodpecker
There are many species of woodpeckers found throughout North America. Knowing which types you're likely to encounter based on your location can help you sort food and place food containers and other items that attract woodpeckers.
- Downy woodpecker with black-and-white checkered plumage and is found throughout the United States and some parts of Canada. This woodpecker enjoys fatty food and loves the challenge of an overturned food stand.
- The Sampit woodpecker looks similar to the Downy woodpecker, although it has a longer beak and is quite shy in comparison to what it looks like. This woodpecker is also found in the United States and parts of Canada, and has been found in areas as far south as Mexico. This bird usually does not eat from the food place.
- The Northern Flicker is a polka dot woodpecker found throughout North America-even as far as Central America. When flying, you can see yellow and red dots which are usually covered by unique black markings. These birds tend to eat insects or those near the ground, although they will eat from food containers on occasion.
- The combed, red-headed, and red-bellied woodpecker is found primarily in the eastern United States. The combed woodpecker is a large, mostly black crow with a red crest and a white stripe around its throat. This bird rarely eats from the place of food. The red-headed woodpecker is a rare bird whose population may be boosted by the presence of a birdhouse. This bird's diet includes fruit, seeds, nuts, other small birds, and other small rodents. The red-bellied woodpecker is medium in size and features a bright red head and underbelly on an almost entirely black body. This bird is known to eat fat and nuts that are in the place of food.
- The Lewis woodpecker and the Red-necked Woodpecker are two of the rarer species that are primarily found in the western United States. The Lewis woodpecker is medium in size with a gray chest, dark red face and pink belly. They are insectivorous that collect their food from the surface of trees. Sap-sucking Red Neck is found in the lower areas around the Rocky Mountains. They tend to suck sap from willow trees, but are known to feed on food from other trees as well.
Step 2. Choose the right food
Woodpeckers love nuts, insects, seeds, and are attracted to food places that offer them what they would love to chew in the wild. By offering the right food choices, you can attract a wide range of these species to your yard.
- Fat is hard fat found around the organs in cattle or sheep. It is also well liked by most woodpeckers. The fat comes in a cake form and can be placed in a special upside-down feeding tray that encourages starlings-an invasive species of bird-while still allowing songbirds and woodpeckers to feed.
- It is not recommended that you feed your birds fat during the warm summer months as the fat will melt and stick to the bird's wings. This is dangerous because the summer months coincide with egg incubation and the fat on the eggshell clogs the pores, preventing oxygen from entering the embryo.
- Nuts and seeds, particularly peanuts and sunflower black oil seeds, are highly favored by woodpeckers and are a relatively inexpensive food option.
- Fruit is another food that most woodpeckers eat happily. Slices of oranges and apples are very attractive and contain many important nutrients for the health of these active birds.
- The worm's diet is the larvae of the Tenebrio molitor beetle. They should be placed in a food tray deep enough to prevent them from squirming freely. Worm food can last for weeks from date of purchase if kept at 40-50 F (4-10 C).
Step 3. Choose the right place to eat
Although woodpeckers spend most of their time looking for natural food sources such as larvae of beetles, spiders, ants and other insects, you can attract these hard-beaked birds to your yard by making wise choices about your food base.
- An upright food tray will support a comfortable bird feeding position.
- Position the feeding area to mimic the natural feeding preferred by birds. Fat bases, for example, will be much more effective and popular around trees.
- Place your feeder in a quieter location to make the birds feel safe. A well-lit, sunny area is also preferred as this is for the alert woodpecker's visibility.
Step 4. Provide water
Woodpeckers will visit the bird fountain to drink and soak. They prefer more private and quiet water reservoirs close to the ground. Make sure the water reservoir is shallow enough -1½ inches-2 inches.
- Try placing a small fountain with a running water pump in a shady area away from the center of the yard. To encourage birds to use the water reservoir, you can place a low perch around the tub.
- During the winter months, you should be aware of the formation of ice in the fountain. The easiest and most ecologically efficient way to provide birds with water during this month is to provide a bowl of water at the same time each day.
Step 5. Provide shelter
Like most birds, woodpeckers like privacy and the ability to hide. Spruce and deciduous trees provide shelter and serve as a food source for woodpeckers. Planting a few of these trees in a small area will allow the woodpecker to feel safe.
- Planting shrubs at the base of this tree will provide additional security for the woodpecker, and can also provide an additional food source.
- Some woodpeckers, like the combed ones, like dead trees. Instead of throwing them away, try keeping them in your yard to encourage perches and even nesting.
- Consider putting a box to perch in your backyard during the winter months. Choosing the right location for nesting sites is very important. Try placing the box close to vegetation that woodpeckers frequent. Placing the box higher than the ground and on a pole can protect it from predators. You can buy this box, or make your own. They should have drainage and ventilation holes, which are easy to clean and solidly erected.
Part 2 of 2: Making Your Yard More Attractive To Other Birds
The woodpecker is just the beginning. If you want to start your career as a backyard bird lover, there are many things you can do and species you can attract.
Step 1. If you don't live in an area with woodpeckers, you might consider a common bird
Take a few steps towards becoming a bluebird lover in the yard.
Step 2. During that winter month, you might consider helping some winter songbirds
Step 3. If you feel like channeling your craft skills, consider building your own sparrow nest box, or bird pond
Step 4. Want to plan a birding trip?
Learn the basics from preparation to the best bird spots to find the bird you're looking for.
Tips
- Check fat cakes regularly as they will go rancid easily. You can also buy them from reputable bird feeders, or make your own.
- If you're looking for plant-growing ideas to attract woodpeckers to your yard, consider pine trees (because of their sap) and oaks (woodpeckers love to eat acorns).
Warning
- Maintain the nest box regularly. Aggressive and invasive species such as the European starling can take over nests and destroy eggs and chicks.
- Beware of predators. Cats, raccoons, snakes and other animals outdoors can pose a major threat to eggs and small chicks. There are shields or screens you can purchase to place outside the nest box that will deter these predators in a safe but humane way.
