Woodpeckers do eat ants, and for many species, these insects are a significant portion of their daily meals. While these birds are widely known for hammering away at tree trunks to find wood-boring beetle larvae, several species actively hunt ants as a primary food source. This dietary focus is especially pronounced in species like the Northern Flicker and the massive Pileated Woodpecker.
The Central Role of Ants in Woodpecker Nutrition
Ants represent a highly concentrated source of protein and fat, making them a valuable food item for energy-demanding birds. Certain species show a distinct preference for ants, with the Northern Flicker, for example, consuming ants for up to 45% of its entire diet during the summer months. The Pileated Woodpecker also relies heavily on these insects, with carpenter ants sometimes constituting up to 60% of its diet.
Woodpeckers often target the ant colonies not just for the adult insects, but also for the nutritious brood. Ant larvae and pupae contain high levels of fat and protein, offering a more calorically dense meal. These birds specifically seek out Carpenter Ants, which nest inside dead or decaying wood, and Thatching Ants, which build large mounds on the ground. Exploiting these sizable ant populations provides a reliable and rich food supply.
Specialized Adaptations for Ant Consumption
Ant consumption requires specialized anatomical features, most notably a highly adapted tongue. Unlike the barbed tongues of some woodpeckers used for spearing grubs, the Northern Flicker possesses an exceptionally long, sticky tongue. This tongue can extend up to 3.5 inches beyond the bill and is coated in sticky saliva, allowing the bird to rapidly “lap up” hundreds of ants from a disturbed colony.
The Pileated Woodpecker targets larger Carpenter Ants deep within wood, employing a different tactic. This species creates characteristic large, rectangular holes to expose the ant galleries. Once the nest is breached, its tongue is barbed at the tip and covered in sticky mucus. This combination allows the bird to efficiently extract individual ants from the tunnels, often reaching deeply into the wood’s recesses.
The foraging behavior also differs based on the target ant species. Northern Flickers spend significant time on the ground, probing anthills and soil to access underground nests, unlike most other woodpeckers. Pileated Woodpeckers, conversely, use powerful chiseling bills to tear into dead logs and stumps where carpenter ant colonies reside. Both methods are specialized hunting techniques that effectively harvest ants and their brood.
How the Ant Diet Compares to Other Food Sources
While ants are a staple for certain species, the overall woodpecker diet is quite varied, demonstrating opportunistic feeding habits. Many woodpeckers, such as the Hairy and Downy woodpeckers, primarily consume wood-boring beetle larvae (grubs) extracted from beneath tree bark. These grubs provide a substantial source of protein, especially during the breeding season.
The omnivorous nature of woodpeckers also includes a considerable amount of plant matter. In winter, when insects are less available, many species consume nuts, seeds, and wild fruits. Sapsuckers, a distinct group, rely heavily on tree sap, which they access by drilling neat rows of shallow holes. They also consume insects trapped in the sticky fluid. This dietary flexibility ensures that woodpeckers can thrive across different seasons and habitats.