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Woodpeckers
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We will discuss them as a whole first, then you can get more detailed information about attracting the common types by following the different links.
Woodpeckers are members of the Picidae family which includes flickers and sapsuckers. About 45 are found in North America.
They can be identified by stout sharply-pointed beaks, stiff tail feathers, and short legs that are equipped with four sharp clawed toes (two toes face forward and two backwards).
Nesting Habits
Woodpeckers are usually found in woodland areas; however, these birds can be found in treeless areas where utility poles and wood-sided houses and other structures provide suitable substitutes for trees.Easily excavating holes in dead tree limbs for nesting and raising young. The front and rear toes along with their stiff tail feathers make these birds uniquely adapted to drilling holes in wood for nesting. As cavity nesters, some of these birds are good candidates for man-made bird houses.
Some of the more common types of North American woodpeckers are: Downy, Hairy, Northern Flicker, Pileated, Red-Headed and Red-bellied Woodpecker
Feeding Habits
These birds are beneficial because of the large numbers of insect pests they eat. Depending on type, they eat many wood-boring insects, spiders, caterpillars, berries, and seeds. The Pileated primarily feeds on ants, although it will also eat wood-boring insects and berries.Attracting
You can often attract woodpeckers to your yard by offering suet and black oil sunflower seed. Downy and Hairy along with Northern Flickers are especially attracted to suet. See our selection of recommended Suet Feeders.Females will lay a clutch of 4 to 8 eggs in an excavated tree cavity or bird house. Both adults generally assist with incubation and feeding of the young.
Migration
Classified as nongame migratory birds, these birds are protected by the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act and state wildlife laws.Before any person may take, possess, or transport any migratory bird or its parts including feathers, eggs, nest, ect., they must secure a permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Although they are considered migratory, many do not travel long distances. Many are year-long residents of the states they are found.
Damage And Control
Woodpecker damage typically occurs during spring and fall. In the spring when pairs are actively looking for nesting cavities, cedar wood sided houses can be damaged. Certain types of bees and other insects use the grooves in board and batten siding to lay eggs which attract the bird pairs.Controlling Damage
The best way to control damage caused by woodpeckers is to start when the damage first occurs. Once they establish a feeding or nesting territory, it becomes much more difficult to manage. If there are any cracks or opening that attract them or provide a surface for them to cling to, these should be repaired. In some cases this may be all that is needed.More time consuming measures might need to be taken if the problem is persistent. Some of these include, stretching plastic tightly over the area or using a water hose to chase the birds away.
By law, no one can capture or harm these birds without written permission from federal and state wildlife agencies.
For the most part, woodpeckers damage is minimal. While 5:00 AM drumming can be annoying, watching these birds nest and feed can be quite enjoyable.
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