The red-headed woodpecker, recognized by its distinctive crimson head and black-and-white plumage, can become a nuisance when it targets home structures. This behavior often results in property damage, forcing homeowners to seek removal methods. Because this species is protected under federal law, lethal measures are strictly prohibited, requiring the use of humane, non-lethal solutions. This guide offers practical, legal strategies for dealing with woodpecker activity.
Identifying the Cause of Woodpecker Activity
Effective deterrence requires identifying the motivation behind the woodpecker’s actions, as intervention differs for each scenario. The most common reason for drilling is foraging, where the bird excavates small, irregular holes searching for insects, larvae, or carpenter bees within the wood or siding. If the damage consists of small, scattered holes, focus on pest control to eliminate the underlying insect food source.
A second motivation is creating a nesting or roosting cavity, resulting in a single, larger, uniform hole, often near the eaves or corners. These holes are excavated for shelter, and once a nest is established, exclusion efforts must stop until the young have fledged.
The third activity is drumming, a loud, rhythmic tapping typically done on resonant materials like metal gutters or hollow wood. Drumming is communication used during the spring mating season to attract a mate and establish territory, requiring sound-dampening or visual deterrents.
Visual and Noise Deterrent Methods
Immediate measures involve using visual and auditory deterrents to create an unsafe environment that encourages the birds to leave. Reflective materials are effective because the flashing light and movement mimic an erratic environment. Strips of holographic flash tape or mylar streamers can be hung near the damaged area, cut into three-foot sections that flutter freely in the breeze.
Specialized scare eye balloons, which feature large “predator eyes,” are another visual tool that startles the birds as they bob and weave with the wind. Any visual deterrent, including fake owls or hawk decoys, must be moved frequently, ideally every few days. Consistency and variety are necessary, as these intelligent birds quickly learn to ignore any stationary threat.
Auditory deterrents range from simple loud noises to specialized systems that broadcast predator or distress calls. Commercial ultrasonic devices are generally ineffective for birds, as their hearing range typically does not extend into the high-frequency ultrasonic range. Any initial scaring effect is usually due to a low-frequency, audible component, and the birds quickly habituate to the sound.
Installing Physical Exclusion Barriers
For persistent woodpecker activity, physical exclusion provides a permanent, non-contact solution by blocking access to vulnerable surfaces. The most reliable method is installing fine-mesh bird netting, which creates a physical standoff barrier between the bird and the structure. The netting should be secured tightly under the eaves and drape down past the damaged area, preventing the bird from latching onto the siding.
Netting with a mesh size of three-quarters of an inch or smaller is recommended to ensure the birds cannot pass through or become entangled. Corners, fascia boards, or areas of concentrated damage can be covered with hardware cloth, a stiffer, galvanized mesh that is impossible for the birds to penetrate. Once the woodpeckers are gone, all holes must be repaired immediately with wood putty or a durable patching compound and painted to prevent re-attraction.
In the long term, replacing vulnerable materials with woodpecker-resistant siding is the most durable solution. Fiber cement siding, a blend of cement, sand, and cellulose, is effective because it is too hard and dense for the birds to excavate and does not produce a hollow sound when struck. While vinyl and metal sidings are also resistant, metal can still attract drumming birds, and thin vinyl can be compromised if birds seek insects in foam insulation underneath.
Legal Protections and When to Call an Expert
The red-headed woodpecker, like most native bird species, is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), a federal law enacted in 1918. The MBTA makes it illegal to “take”—meaning to pursue, hunt, capture, kill, or possess—any migratory bird, its parts, eggs, or active nest without federal permission. Homeowners are liable for any illegal removal, emphasizing the importance of non-lethal deterrence.
If the woodpecker has established an active nest with eggs or young, all harassment and removal activities must cease until the nest is confirmed vacant, usually after the young have fledged. When DIY methods fail, or if the damage is extensive, the only legal recourse is to contact a licensed Wildlife Control Operator (WCO). A WCO can assess the situation and, as a last resort, apply for a federal depredation permit, which is only granted after all non-lethal attempts have been documented and failed.