The Hairy Woodpecker is a medium-sized bird, roughly nine to ten inches long, and is widely distributed across North America. This powerful species is a permanent resident, favoring mature forests and woodlands. As an important component of the forest ecosystem, the Hairy Woodpecker’s diet reflects its specialized lifestyle.
Primary Diet: Wood-Boring Insects and Larvae
The majority of the Hairy Woodpecker’s annual diet, often exceeding 75%, consists of insects and other invertebrates found within or under tree bark. These birds primarily target the larvae of wood-boring beetles and bark beetles, which live deep within the wood of dead or decaying trees. The grubs of these insects are rich in protein and fat, providing substantial nourishment throughout the year. They also consume significant numbers of moth pupae, such as those of the codling moth, which they extract from their protective cocoons.
The woodpecker’s intense foraging activity makes it a natural pest controller in many forest and orchard settings. During outbreaks of bark beetles, large numbers of Hairy Woodpeckers converge on the infested area to feed on the abundant larvae. Their diet also includes small arthropods like ants, spiders, and caterpillars, which they find while scaling the trunk and main branches of trees.
Foraging Techniques and Specialized Anatomy
The Hairy Woodpecker employs a systematic approach to locate and retrieve its deeply hidden prey. The bird first uses its robust, chisel-like bill to tap or “sound” on the wood surface, listening for subtle vibrations that indicate the presence of an insect tunnel or larva underneath. Once a target is detected, the woodpecker begins the forceful process of excavation, chipping away wood fibers with its long, dagger-like bill. This powerful action requires a sturdy base, provided by the bird’s stiff tail feathers that brace its body against the tree trunk like a prop.
After drilling through the wood, the woodpecker utilizes a highly specialized anatomical feature to complete the capture. Its tongue is long and thin, extending far beyond the tip of the bill. The tip of this tongue is barbed and coated with sticky saliva, allowing the bird to spear or adhere to the insect and pull it from the narrow tunnel. This combination of sounding, excavating, and probing allows the Hairy Woodpecker to access a food source unavailable to most other birds.
Supplemental and Seasonal Food Sources
While insects form the bulk of the diet, the Hairy Woodpecker supplements its nutrition with various plant materials, especially during the colder months when insect activity is reduced. They consume tree nuts, such as acorns, and various wild seeds, often wedging them into bark crevices before hammering them open to reach the kernel. Berries and other small fruits are also eaten when available, providing sugars and carbohydrates.
The birds are opportunistic consumers of tree sap, frequently visiting “sap wells” drilled into tree trunks by Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. They drink the sugary fluid that pools in these small, regularly maintained holes. In suburban environments, Hairy Woodpeckers readily visit human-provided feeders, seeking out high-calorie options. Suet is an attractive food source, offering concentrated fat, and they also consume black oil sunflower seeds and peanut butter.