Woodpeckers are instantly recognizable by their distinctive vertical climbing and drumming behavior. They are regular visitors to backyard bird feeders across North America. Unlike many common perching birds, woodpeckers often commit to a feeder as a reliable, high-energy food source, especially during colder months. This article explores the unique physical adaptations that allow them to feed, the specific foods they seek out, and how to successfully attract them to your yard.
Woodpecker Anatomy and Feeding Behavior at Feeders
The way a woodpecker interacts with a feeder is fundamentally different from a chickadee or a finch. Most perching birds have three toes forward and one back, ideal for gripping thin branches. Woodpeckers, however, possess zygodactyl feet, meaning they have two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward, creating a powerful, pincer-like grip on vertical surfaces.
This foot configuration allows them to cling securely to the side of a tree trunk or a feeder. Their stiff, pointed tail feathers function as a crucial third point of contact, acting as a brace or “kickstand” to support their body weight while they feed. This bracing behavior means they prefer to approach feeders from the side or bottom, climbing upward rather than landing and perching horizontally. Their feeding motion involves short, sharp forward thrusts, allowing them to access the food source with the same powerful, chisel-like technique they use to excavate wood.
Preferred Foods and Feeder Structures
Suet, which is rendered animal fat, provides a dense source of energy for woodpeckers. This high-calorie food mimics the fat content of the insects and larvae in their natural diet, making it valuable, especially in winter. Suet is typically offered in square blocks placed inside a simple metal cage feeder, allowing the birds to cling vertically while eating.
Commercial suet cakes are often enhanced with ingredients such as peanuts, peanut butter, or dried mealworms, offering additional protein and fat. Woodpeckers also readily consume shelled peanuts offered in specialized wire mesh feeders. They accept black oil sunflower seeds, but these are best presented hulled, as woodpeckers lack the jaw strength to easily crack tough shells. They prefer feeders that accommodate their vertical posture and bracing tail, such as log feeders with pre-drilled holes, large platform feeders, or suet cages.
Strategies for Attracting Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers are more comfortable feeding in an environment that feels similar to a tree trunk. Placing feeders near or directly on a large tree trunk or post, rather than suspended in the open, can significantly increase their visits. The ideal height for a feeder is roughly five to six feet off the ground.
To manage competition for suet, specialty feeders can be used that discourage perching birds. Some suet feeders are designed to be accessed only from the bottom, a position woodpeckers easily manage but other birds find awkward. To prevent squirrels from consuming the high-fat suet, some enthusiasts use commercial suet cakes infused with capsaicin, a natural compound birds cannot taste but squirrels find unpleasant. Regularly cleaning suet cages and platform feeders is also important to prevent the spread of disease and keep the food fresh.