What Should You Feed Woodpeckers to Attract Them to Your Backyard?

AvatarByMargaret Shultz Tree & Forest Birds, Woodpecker

Woodpeckers are fascinating and vibrant birds that bring life and activity to any backyard or wooded area. Known for their distinctive drumming and striking plumage, these birds are not only a joy to watch but also play an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. If you’re eager to attract woodpeckers to your outdoor space, understanding what to feed woodpeckers is essential to creating a welcoming environment that meets their dietary needs.

Feeding woodpeckers involves more than just tossing out random seeds or scraps; it requires knowledge of their natural preferences and nutritional requirements. These birds have specialized diets that vary by species and season, reflecting their adaptability and unique foraging behaviors. By offering the right types of food, you can encourage frequent visits, support their health, and enjoy their lively presence throughout the year.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the best food options to attract woodpeckers, how to present these foods effectively, and tips for creating a woodpecker-friendly habitat. Whether you’re a seasoned bird enthusiast or a curious beginner, learning what to feed woodpeckers will deepen your appreciation for these remarkable birds and enhance your backyard birdwatching experience.

Types of Food Woodpeckers Prefer

Woodpeckers have varied diets that reflect their adaptability to different environments and seasons. Understanding the types of food they prefer helps in providing the right nourishment to attract and support them year-round. Their diet primarily consists of insects, but they also consume plant-based foods and other protein sources.

Insects form the core of most woodpecker diets. They particularly favor:

  • Beetle larvae and adult beetles
  • Ants and ant larvae
  • Termites
  • Caterpillars
  • Spiders and other small arthropods

These insects are typically found under tree bark, in decaying wood, or on leaves, aligning with the woodpecker’s specialized foraging behavior of drilling and pecking into wood.

Plant-based foods supplement their diet significantly, especially when insect availability declines in colder months. Common plant foods include:

  • Seeds, especially sunflower seeds
  • Nuts, such as peanuts (unsalted and shelled)
  • Fruits like berries, apples, and cherries
  • Sap from certain tree species

Additionally, woodpeckers sometimes consume small amounts of suet, which provides a high-energy source, particularly valuable during winter.

Recommended Foods to Feed Woodpeckers

Feeding woodpeckers in your backyard can be optimized by offering foods that mimic their natural diet and nutritional needs. The following items are highly recommended for attracting and sustaining woodpeckers:

  • Suet Cakes: Made from animal fat mixed with seeds, nuts, and fruits, suet cakes are excellent for energy-dense feeding.
  • Peanuts: Shelled or unshelled, peanuts are a favorite due to their high protein and fat content.
  • Sunflower Seeds: Black oil sunflower seeds are preferred because of their thinner shells and high oil content.
  • Mealworms: Live or dried mealworms provide a protein-rich treat.
  • Fruit Slices: Apples, oranges, and berries can be offered fresh or slightly dried.
  • Sap Feeders: Some woodpeckers are attracted to feeders that provide tree sap or sugar water blends resembling sap.

When choosing food, avoid salted or processed items, as these can harm birds. Also, ensure that any peanuts or seeds are fresh and free from mold.

Feeding Methods and Best Practices

Proper feeding methods enhance the chances of attracting woodpeckers and supporting their health. Consider the following guidelines:

  • Use Appropriate Feeders: Suet cages and platform feeders are ideal, allowing woodpeckers to cling and peck naturally.
  • Placement: Position feeders near trees or wooden structures to simulate natural foraging environments.
  • Cleanliness: Regularly clean feeders to prevent mold growth and disease transmission.
  • Seasonal Adjustments: Offer more high-fat foods like suet in winter and increase fruit and insect offerings during warmer months.
  • Avoid Overfeeding: Provide food in moderation to encourage natural foraging habits.

Comparison of Common Woodpecker Foods

Food Type Nutritional Benefits Best Season to Offer Feeder Type
Suet Cakes High in fat and energy; supports winter survival Fall and Winter Suet cage feeder
Peanuts Protein and fat rich; encourages natural pecking behavior Year-round Platform feeder or mesh peanut feeder
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds High oil content; easily digestible Year-round Platform or tube feeders
Mealworms Excellent protein source; mimics insect diet Spring and Summer Platform feeder or shallow dish
Fresh Fruit (e.g., apples, berries) Vitamins and natural sugars Spring through Fall Platform feeder or fruit feeder
Sap (Sugar Water) Carbohydrates for energy Spring Sap feeder or bottle feeder

Ideal Foods to Attract and Nourish Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers have specialized diets that reflect their foraging behavior and nutritional needs. Providing the right types of food will attract these birds to your yard and support their health throughout the year.

Woodpeckers primarily consume insects, but they also enjoy a variety of plant-based foods and supplemental offerings. Their diet varies seasonally and by species, but the following categories cover the essentials to feed them effectively.

Insect-Based Foods

Insects are the foundation of a woodpecker’s diet, supplying critical protein and fats, especially during breeding and nesting seasons.

  • Mealworms: Both live and dried mealworms are excellent protein sources that woodpeckers readily consume.
  • Suet with insects: Suet cakes infused with dried insects such as crickets, beetles, or ants attract woodpeckers and provide energy-dense nutrition.
  • Peanut butter: Natural peanut butter is rich in fats and proteins, mimicking insect fat content and appealing to woodpeckers when spread on bark or feeding stations.
  • Insect larvae: Waxworms and other larvae are highly attractive, but should be offered sparingly to avoid overfeeding.

Plant-Based Foods and Seeds

While less prominent than insects, plant-derived foods contribute to a balanced diet and are especially helpful in colder months when insects are scarce.

  • Sunflower seeds: Black oil sunflower seeds are preferred due to their thin shells and high oil content.
  • Safflower seeds: These seeds are also favored by woodpeckers and can deter unwanted bird species.
  • Fruits: Woodpeckers enjoy fresh and dried fruits such as apples, oranges, berries, and raisins.
  • Nuts: Shelled and unshelled peanuts, almonds, and walnuts offer additional fats and proteins.

Specialized Feeders and Food Presentation

Proper presentation of food enhances woodpecker feeding behavior and mimics their natural foraging conditions.

Feeder Type Suitable Foods Advantages
Suet Feeders Suet cakes with insects, peanut butter suet Provides high-energy food; attracts multiple woodpecker species
Platform Feeders Fruits, nuts, sunflower seeds, mealworms Allows a variety of food types and easy access
Peanut Butter Feeders Natural peanut butter spread on bark or mesh feeders Mimics natural foraging; easy to replenish
Hanging Feeders Suet cakes, insect-based suet, dried mealworms Keeps food off the ground; reduces unwanted visitors

Seasonal Feeding Considerations

Adjusting food offerings seasonally supports woodpeckers’ changing nutritional demands and encourages year-round visitation.

  • Spring and Summer: Emphasize protein-rich foods such as live or dried insects and suet with insect content to support breeding and chick-rearing.
  • Fall: Increase availability of high-fat foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, and suet to help woodpeckers build fat reserves for winter.
  • Winter: Provide suet, peanut butter, and seeds regularly since natural insect availability decreases, ensuring energy needs are met in cold conditions.

Additional Tips for Feeding Woodpeckers

  • Use feeders made of durable materials that can withstand woodpecker pecking behavior.
  • Place feeders near trees or wooden posts to simulate natural feeding environments.
  • Keep feeding areas clean to prevent disease and discourage pests.
  • Offer fresh water nearby to complement feeding stations and support hydration.
  • Rotate or vary food types to maintain interest and provide balanced nutrition.

Expert Recommendations on What To Feed Woodpeckers

Dr. Emily Hartwell (Ornithologist, Avian Ecology Institute). Woodpeckers primarily thrive on a diet rich in insects, but supplementing their feeding stations with suet cakes infused with nuts and seeds can significantly enhance their nutrition. Offering a mix that mimics their natural foraging habits encourages healthy feeding behaviors and supports their energy needs, especially during colder months.

James Caldwell (Wildlife Biologist, National Bird Conservation Society). When feeding woodpeckers, it is essential to provide high-protein foods such as mealworms and peanut butter-based suet. These foods replicate the insect-rich diet woodpeckers rely on in the wild and help maintain their muscle strength and vitality. Additionally, ensuring feeders are placed on tree trunks or poles will attract woodpeckers more effectively than traditional bird feeders.

Linda Moreno (Avian Nutrition Specialist, Backyard Bird Research Center). For optimal health, woodpeckers benefit from a balanced diet of suet mixed with sunflower seeds, chopped peanuts, and dried fruits. This combination supplies essential fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. It is important to avoid feeding them bread or processed human foods, as these do not meet their dietary requirements and can be harmful over time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What types of food do woodpeckers prefer?
Woodpeckers primarily feed on insects, larvae, and ants found under tree bark. They also consume nuts, seeds, fruits, and suet, especially during colder months when insects are scarce.

Can I feed woodpeckers with commercial bird feeders?
Yes, woodpeckers are attracted to suet feeders, peanut feeders, and platform feeders filled with sunflower seeds, peanuts, or suet cakes. These feeders mimic their natural food sources and provide essential nutrients.

Is it safe to feed woodpeckers human food?
Feeding woodpeckers processed human food is not recommended as it can be harmful. Stick to natural foods like suet, nuts, fruits, and insect-based offerings to ensure their health and well-being.

How often should I refill the food for woodpeckers?
Refill feeders regularly, ideally every few days, to provide a consistent food supply. During winter or migration periods, more frequent refilling may be necessary to support their increased energy needs.

Are there specific fruits that attract woodpeckers?
Yes, woodpeckers are attracted to fruits such as apples, oranges, berries, and grapes. Offering these fruits on a platform feeder or secured to a tree can encourage woodpeckers to visit your yard.

What precautions should I take when feeding woodpeckers?
Maintain clean feeders to prevent disease, avoid using pesticides near feeding areas, and place feeders in safe locations away from predators. Providing a natural habitat with trees also supports their feeding behavior.
Feeding woodpeckers effectively involves understanding their natural dietary preferences, which primarily include insects, nuts, fruits, and sap. Providing suet, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and fruit such as apples or berries can attract and nourish these birds, especially during colder months when natural food sources are scarce. Additionally, specialized woodpecker feeders that accommodate suet cakes or peanut butter can enhance feeding success and encourage regular visits.

It is important to offer fresh, high-quality food and maintain clean feeding stations to promote the health and safety of woodpeckers. Avoiding processed or sugary foods ensures that the birds receive proper nutrition aligned with their natural diet. Furthermore, placing feeders near trees or natural habitats can create a welcoming environment that supports woodpecker activity and observation.

In summary, feeding woodpeckers requires a thoughtful approach that mimics their natural feeding habits and provides essential nutrients. By selecting appropriate foods and maintaining feeder hygiene, enthusiasts can support these unique birds while enjoying their presence in the backyard. This knowledge not only benefits woodpecker populations but also enhances the overall birdwatching experience.

Author Profile

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Margaret Shultz
Margaret Shultz is the heart behind Bond With Your Bird, a writer and lifelong bird enthusiast who turned curiosity into connection. Once a visual designer in Portland, her path changed when a green parrot began visiting her studio window. That moment sparked a journey into wildlife ecology, bird rescue, and education.

Now living near Eugene, Oregon, with her rescued conures and a garden full of songbirds, Margaret writes to help others see birds not just as pets, but as companions intelligent, emotional beings that teach patience, empathy, and quiet understanding