The Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is the largest surviving woodpecker species in North America. Easily identified by its brilliant red crest, crow-like size, and loud, distinctive call, this bird is a rewarding sight for birdwatchers. The presence of this striking species indicates a healthy, mature ecosystem, as it plays a significant role in creating cavities that benefit over twenty other secondary cavity-nesting species, from owls to squirrels.
Providing Preferred Food Sources
Attracting these birds involves offering high-fat, high-energy supplemental food, especially during colder months. Woodpeckers are particularly fond of suet, which should be offered in large, sturdy feeders designed to accommodate their size and powerful feeding style. Look for log feeders or large, tail-prop suet cages that allow the bird to brace itself with its stiff tail feathers while feeding.
The most effective suet mixes mimic their natural diet, such as plain beef suet, peanut butter suet, or blends infused with insects like dried mealworms. Avoid cheap suet blocks that contain large amounts of seed fillers, as these do not provide the necessary fat content or appeal to the bird’s preference for insect-based meals. Place these feeders on large tree trunks or poles, positioning them away from busy human activity to minimize disturbance.
Homeowners can encourage natural foraging behavior by strategically placing decaying wood. This species’ main diet consists of carpenter ants and wood-boring beetle larvae, which they excavate from dead or diseased wood. Leaving large, rotting logs or stumps near the feeding station provides a natural hunting substrate and a continuous food source. While searching for insects, the birds create their characteristic large, rectangular holes.
Creating Essential Habitat Structures
Long-term attraction requires providing the structural elements Pileated Woodpeckers need for nesting and roosting. This species requires mature trees and standing dead wood, known as snags, to excavate their large cavities. The size of the required trees is specific; they prefer snags that are at least 20 to 30 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH) and 70 to 90 feet tall.
These substantial snags are selected because the birds need a large internal space for their nest. They often excavate into a tree where the heartwood has softened from decay while the outer sapwood remains firm for structural support. If safe, retaining large, dead, or diseased trees is the most impactful action a homeowner can take to secure a breeding pair. Providing a dense, mature canopy with multi-layered vegetation also increases the habitat’s appeal.
A consistent supply of clean water is an important habitat component. Pileated Woodpeckers will use a bird bath, especially one placed at ground level or on a wide, sturdy platform, for drinking and bathing. A dripper or mister that creates the sound of moving water can be effective in attracting them, as it signals a fresh source.
Managing the Environment for Safety and Security
Creating a safe environment involves active management to reduce threats and mitigate conflicts with human property. All native woodpeckers are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, meaning all deterrents must be non-lethal and non-harmful. A primary threat is predation by domestic cats, so keeping pets indoors or closely supervised is the most direct way to ensure the birds’ safety while foraging.
Mitigating human disturbance is important, as the birds are naturally wary and will abandon a site if they feel insecure. If a woodpecker drums on a house or fence, usually for communication or to find insects, immediate non-harmful deterrents should be used. Loud noises, like clapping hands or banging pots, or a direct spray from a water hose, can cause the bird to relocate its activity to a more appropriate, natural substrate.
To protect property, physical exclusion is the most reliable long-term solution against foraging damage. Temporarily installing bird netting or hanging reflective materials, such as Mylar tape or aluminum foil strips, over the affected area can discourage the bird from returning. If the bird has already created holes, they should be repaired immediately with wood filler to remove the visual cue that attracts other woodpeckers.