How to Attract Woodpeckers
Species, Food, Feeders & Habitat
The definitive guide to inviting all seven common backyard woodpecker species to your property — from the tiny Downy to the magnificent Pileated. Built from 25 years of field expertise.
ð Inside This Guide
Meet the 7 Backyard Woodpeckers
The species you're most likely to see — and how to tell them apart
North America has 23 woodpecker species, but seven of these routinely visit backyards — if you know how to attract them. After 25 years of watching these remarkable birds hammer, drum, and hitch their way up every tree in sight, I've compiled the definitive backyard guide to each one. Let's meet them.
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescens
- ▸ Smallest N. American woodpecker — sparrow-sized
- ▸ Black & white checkered wings, white back stripe
- ▸ Male: tiny red patch on back of head
- ▸ Short, stubby bill — about ⅓ head length (KEY vs. Hairy)
- ▸ Outer tail feathers white with black barring
Hairy WoodpeckerDryobates villosus
- ▸ Looks like a big Downy — identical pattern, 40% larger
- ▸ Long, chisel-shaped bill — nearly head length (THE #1 ID clue)
- ▸ Clean white outer tail feathers — no barring
- ▸ Male: red patch on back of head, like Downy but proportionally smaller
- ▸ Overall more "powerful" impression — heavier head, bigger body
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinus
- ▸ Bold black-and-white barred ("zebra") back — unmistakable
- ▸ Red cap/nape — full nape on male, back half only on female
- ▸ Name is misleading: pale reddish belly wash is rarely visible
- ▸ Tan-gray face & underparts; medium-long bill
- ▸ Expanding range northward — increasingly common at feeders
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatus
- ▸ Crow-sized! — the largest woodpecker most people will ever see
- ▸ Flaming red triangular crest — impossible to miss
- ▸ Mostly black body with white neck stripes & wing patches
- ▸ Male: red "mustache" stripe; female: black forehead
- ▸ Excavates large rectangular holes in trees — diagnostic sign
Northern FlickerColaptes auratus
- ▸ Brown barred back — not black & white like other woodpeckers
- ▸ Spotted belly with bold black crescent "bib"
- ▸ East: yellow underwings & tail ("Yellow-shafted"); West: red ("Red-shafted")
- ▸ Male: black (E) or red (W) "mustache" stripe
- ▸ White rump patch flashing in flight — highly visible
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalus
- ▸ Entire head is deep crimson red — not just a patch (unlike Red-bellied!)
- ▸ Striking tri-color: red head, black back, white belly & wing patches
- ▸ Large white wing patches visible at rest & in flight — like bold white "blocks"
- ▸ Juveniles have brown heads — often confuse beginners
- ▸ Expert aerial insect catcher — like a flycatcher with a woodpecker body
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus varius
- ▸ Red forehead on both sexes; male also has red throat (female: white throat)
- ▸ Black & white face striping; black bib below throat
- ▸ Pale yellow belly wash (faint — hard to see in field)
- ▸ White wing stripe visible at rest — broad white patch along folded wing
- ▸ Unique behavior: drills neat rows of small holes ("sap wells") in living tree bark
The Downy vs. Hairy Cheat Sheet ðŠĩ
This is the #1 woodpecker confusion I encounter. Here's the one-second rule: look at the bill. If it's a small, dainty thorn (about ⅓ head width) → Downy. If it's a serious chisel nearly as long as the head → Hairy. Bill length is more reliable than body size because you often see these birds alone, with no size reference.
Woodpecker Size Comparison
From the tiny Downy to the giant Pileated — see how they stack up
ð Backyard Woodpecker Length Scale
Best Feeders for Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers need tail support — these feeder designs deliver
Woodpeckers feed by bracing their stiff tail feathers against a surface while hammering. A feeder without tail support is like asking you to eat standing on one leg. Here are the five feeder types I recommend after decades of testing, ranked by woodpecker preference.
Tail-Prop Suet FeederVertical board with suet cage & tail brace
The gold standard. A suet cage mounted on a board with an extended tail-prop panel below that lets woodpeckers brace naturally. Mimics feeding on a tree trunk perfectly.
ðĶ Attracts
All 7 species — including Pileated (if board is long enough). The only feeder design that consistently attracts larger woodpeckers.
✅ Pros
- Most natural feeding posture
- Attracts largest woodpecker diversity
- Starlings struggle with upside-down variants
- Easy to make DIY from scrap lumber
❌ Cons
- Only serves suet (single food type)
- Needs sturdy mounting
- Squirrels can access
Standard Suet CageWire cage for suet cakes
The basic wire cage that holds a commercial suet cake. Inexpensive, widely available, and effective — the entry-level woodpecker feeder that every backyard should have.
ðĶ Attracts
Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied primarily. Smaller birds adapt easily. Pileated rarely — no tail support for large birds.
✅ Pros
- Cheapest option ($5–$10)
- Easy to fill and clean
- Can hang anywhere
❌ Cons
- No tail support for larger species
- Starlings dominate quickly
- Suet melts in heat above 90°F
Upside-Down Suet FeederBottom-access cage design
A cage that only allows access from below, forcing birds to cling upside-down. Woodpeckers handle this easily; starlings and grackles struggle and eventually give up.
ðĶ Attracts
Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied, nuthatches, chickadees. Effectively excludes starlings. Pileated can't use (too large).
✅ Pros
- Best starling deterrent
- Woodpeckers adapt quickly
- Rain protection (suet faces down)
❌ Cons
- Excludes ground-clinging birds
- Slightly harder to refill
- Large woodpeckers can't use it
Peanut Wreath/Tube FeederWire mesh for shelled peanuts
A wire mesh cylinder or wreath design filled with shelled, unsalted peanuts. Irresistible to woodpeckers, nuthatches, and jays. A high-energy, protein-rich offering.
ðĶ Attracts
Red-bellied (crazy for peanuts), Downy, Hairy, Northern Flicker, plus jays and nuthatches. Also a squirrel magnet — use a baffle.
✅ Pros
- High-energy protein food
- Attracts species that skip suet
- Entertaining to watch
❌ Cons
- Peanuts are expensive
- Squirrels go berserk for them
- Must be shelled & unsalted only
DIY Log FeederNatural log with drilled holes filled with suet/peanut butter
My personal favorite. Drill 1.5-inch holes in a hardwood log, stuff them with suet, peanut butter, or Bark Butter. Hang vertically. The most natural feeder possible.
ðĶ Attracts
All species — even Pileated! The natural bark surface provides perfect grip. Brown Creepers and wrens also love it.
✅ Pros
- Free to make from any hardwood log
- Most natural look in your yard
- Natural bark = perfect woodpecker grip
- Attracts widest variety
❌ Cons
- Harder to refill than cage feeders
- Requires DIY effort (drill + log)
- Eventually rots and needs replacement
The "Pileated Strategy" — Getting the Big One to Visit ðĄ
A Pileated Woodpecker at your feeder is the Holy Grail of backyard birding. Here's what works: use a tail-prop suet feeder or natural log feeder at least 18 inches long, mounted on a tree trunk (not a pole), within 50 feet of mature woods. Fill with premium suet or peanut butter. The key is the tail support — a Pileated physically cannot cling to a small swinging cage. Patience matters: it can take 3–6 months for one to discover your feeder, but once it does, it'll return daily.
Woodpecker Food Preferences — Ranked
What to offer, what to avoid, and which species eat what
| Food Type | Preference | Best For | Feeder Type | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ð Beef Suet Cakes | All 7 species | Suet cage, tail-prop, log | Year-round (no-melt in summer) | The #1 woodpecker food. Buy rendered suet or "no-melt" formulas for temps over 90°F. | |
| ðĨ Shelled Peanuts | Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy, Flicker | Peanut wreath/tube, platform | Year-round | Must be unsalted! Halves or chips work. Red-bellied Woodpeckers go absolutely wild for peanuts. | |
| ð§ Peanut Butter / Bark Butter | All species, especially Downy & Hairy | Smeared on log feeder or bark | Fall, Winter, Spring | Use plain, unsalted PB. Or buy Bark Butter (Jim's Birdacious brand). Smear directly on tree bark for the most natural approach. | |
| ðŧ Black Oil Sunflower | Red-bellied, Red-headed, Flicker | Platform, hopper | Year-round | Supplementary food. Woodpeckers take sunflower seeds but strongly prefer suet and peanuts when available. | |
| ð Oranges & Fruit | Red-bellied, Sapsucker, Flicker | Platform, spike feeder | Spring, Summer | Halved oranges attract sapsuckers and Red-bellied. Also berries, grapes, and apple slices. | |
| ðŦ Sugar Water | Sapsucker, Downy (occasionally) | Hummingbird feeder (large ports) | Spring, Summer | Sapsuckers sometimes visit hummingbird feeders. Use 4:1 water to sugar ratio. Never use red dye. |
Suet in Summer — The Melting Problem ⚠️
Raw or rendered suet melts in temperatures above 90°F, becoming rancid and potentially coating feathers (dangerous for birds). In summer, ONLY use "no-melt" or "year-round" commercial suet cakes — these are processed to withstand heat. In extreme heat waves, take suet feeders down entirely and offer peanuts or peanut butter instead. If suet turns waxy, soft, or smelly, discard it immediately.
The Role of Insects
Why bugs are a woodpecker's true meal — and what that means for your yard
Feeder food is supplemental. In the wild, woodpeckers get 60–85% of their diet from insects — wood-boring beetle larvae, carpenter ants, caterpillars, and other invertebrates extracted from bark and dead wood. This has profound implications for how you manage your yard.
Wood-Boring Beetles
The #1 prey. Woodpeckers detect larvae vibrations inside wood, then drill precisely to extract them. One Pileated can consume 2,000+ carpenter ants per day.
Carpenter Ants
Flickers are ant specialists — up to 75% of their diet! They probe lawns and fallen logs with their long, barbed tongues. A yard with ant colonies attracts Flickers reliably.
Caterpillars & Grubs
Protein-rich nestling food. During breeding season, even species that love suet switch to insects for their chicks. Native plants host more caterpillars = more woodpeckers.
Spiders & Bark Insects
Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers glean spiders, aphids, and scale insects from bark crevices. They're nature's pest control — saving your trees from defoliators.
Sap (Sapsuckers)
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers drill orderly rows of holes to access tree sap — their unique food source. The sap wells also attract insects, which they eat too. A dual harvest.
How to Boost Insect Availability ðĄ
- Don't spray pesticides. Every insecticide you use kills woodpecker food. A "messy" yard with insects is a woodpecker paradise.
- Plant native trees and shrubs. Native plants support 10–50x more insect species than non-natives. Oaks alone support 500+ caterpillar species.
- Leave dead wood. Fallen branches, stumps, and snags are insect nurseries. Don't rake everything clean.
- Keep leaf litter. Leaf litter on the ground harbors overwintering insects — food for Flickers and other ground-foraging woodpeckers.
Habitat: The Critical Importance of Snags
Dead trees aren't eyesores — they're woodpecker condominiums
If I could give backyard birders a single piece of habitat advice it would be this: leave your dead trees standing. A dead tree (called a "snag") is the single most important habitat feature for woodpeckers — more important than any feeder. Here's why.
ðŠĩ Why Snags Are Irreplaceable
One standing dead tree can support more wildlife than a dozen feeders
Nesting Cavities
Woodpeckers excavate new cavities each year. A single snag may host 3–5 cavity-nesting species: woodpeckers, bluebirds, chickadees, owls, and flying squirrels.
Insect Pantry
Dead wood teems with wood-boring beetle larvae, carpenter ants, and other invertebrates — the primary natural diet of all woodpeckers.
Drumming Posts
Hollow snags make the best resonating chambers for territorial drumming. Woodpeckers actively seek out snags with the most carrying sound.
Winter Roosting
Woodpeckers sleep in cavities year-round. In winter, a roost cavity can be 20°F warmer than outside air — essential for survival in cold climates.
Lookout Perches
Tall snags with bare branches provide elevated perches for territory display, predator scanning, and singing. Red-headed Woodpeckers especially need these.
Ecosystem Keystone
Woodpecker cavities are reused by 80+ species — owls, kestrels, wood ducks, bats, and more. Woodpeckers are "ecosystem engineers" — they build housing for the forest.
What If a Dead Tree Is Dangerous? âđ️
If a snag threatens a structure, road, or powerline, you can compromise: have an arborist top the tree at a safe height (12–20 feet) and leave the trunk standing. This removes the falling risk while preserving most of the habitat value. Even a 10-foot tall stump can host cavity nesters. If you must remove it entirely, consider creating a snag habitat by leaving the wood as a log pile on the ground — still valuable for insects and ground foragers like Flickers.
Drumming Behavior Decoded
It's not feeding — it's communication. Here's what they're actually saying.
One of the most common misconceptions: drumming ≠ feeding. When a woodpecker produces a rapid, rhythmic burst of tapping, it's communicating — like a songbird singing. When it's feeding, you'll hear irregular, arrhythmic pecking. Understanding this distinction explains 90% of "why is a woodpecker hammering on my house?" complaints.
ðķ The Four Reasons Woodpeckers Drum
Drumming is a language — each species has a recognizable rhythm pattern
Territory Defense
The primary function. "This area is claimed." Equivalent to a songbird singing from a perch. Louder resonance = stronger signal.
Mate Attraction
Males drum to attract females and strengthen pair bonds. Faster, more sustained drumming impresses potential mates.
NOT Feeding
Drumming is rhythmic and rapid — up to 25 strikes/second. Feeding is irregular, slower, and focused on extracting prey.
Species Signatures
Each species has a distinctive tempo. Downy: slow, trailing off. Hairy: fast, even. Pileated: deep, powerful, accelerating. Sapsucker: irregular, stuttering.
Why Metal Surfaces Are Irresistible ⚠️
Woodpeckers choose drumming surfaces based on resonance — they want maximum sound carrying distance. This is exactly why they love drumming on metal chimney caps, aluminum gutters, satellite dishes, and metal flashing. These surfaces amplify the sound enormously compared to wood. The woodpecker isn't trying to find food or make a hole — it's broadcasting its territory signal using the loudest "speaker" it can find. It's clever, actually. Just annoying for homeowners. See the Damage Prevention section for solutions.
Cavity Nesting Explained
Woodpeckers are "primary cavity nesters" — they build homes the whole forest depends on
Unlike most songbirds that build open-cup nests, woodpeckers excavate cavities inside trees — a process that takes 1–6 weeks depending on species. These cavities are architectural marvels: insulated, predator-resistant, and reused by dozens of other species for years after the woodpecker moves on.
Excavation Time
1–6 weeksBoth sexes excavate, taking turns. Downy: ~2 weeks. Pileated: 3–6 weeks (huge cavity).
Cavity Depth
6–24"Ranges from 6" for Downy to 24" deep for Pileated. Entrance hole is precisely sized to the bird's body.
Typical Clutch
3–8 eggsPure white eggs (no camouflage needed in dark cavity). Both parents incubate — male often takes the night shift.
Nestling Period
21–28 daysChicks are born naked and blind. Both parents feed insects. Young cling to cavity walls before fledging.
New Cavity Each Year
AlwaysMost woodpeckers excavate a new cavity annually. Old cavities become housing for bluebirds, owls, screech-owls, wood ducks, bats, and squirrels.
Species Served
80+Over 80 N. American species depend on woodpecker cavities. Without woodpeckers, these species would have nowhere to nest.
Preferred Cavity Trees ðŠĩ
- Dead or dying trees (snags) — softer wood = easier to excavate
- Trees with heart rot — hard outer shell, soft interior = perfect cavity structure
- Aspens, birches, and soft maples — softest wood, favored by Downy and Sapsucker
- Large oaks with dead limbs — Pileated and Red-bellied prefer large-diameter trunks
- Cavity entrance always faces away from prevailing wind and rain
- Height varies by species: Downy 5–50 ft; Pileated 15–80 ft; Flicker 6–20 ft (relatively low)
Preventing Woodpecker Damage to Homes
Welcome them to your yard — not your siding
I love woodpeckers. I've dedicated my career to them. But I also understand the frustration when one decides your cedar siding or chimney cap is the perfect drumming station. Here's the critical truth: woodpeckers damage houses for three distinct reasons, and each requires a different solution.
ð 3 Reasons Woodpeckers Attack Houses — & How to Fix Each
Identifying the WHY is essential — wrong diagnosis = wrong solution
Pattern: Rapid, rhythmic bursts — especially on metal gutters, chimney flashing, or resonant siding. Usually early morning. Seasonal — worst in spring.
Damage: Minimal to surface. No holes. Sound is the issue.
- ✅ Cover resonant metal surfaces with foam, rubber, or cloth to kill the sound
- ✅ Hang reflective tape, wind spinners, or Mylar strips near the spot
- ✅ Install a suet feeder on a TREE nearby — redirect their attention
- ✅ Wait it out — drumming peaks in spring and subsides by late June
Pattern: Irregular, focused pecking on one area. Often returns to the same spot repeatedly. Creates small to medium holes with wood chips below.
Damage: Moderate. Can compromise siding integrity.
- ✅ The woodpecker is telling you that you have insects! Inspect the area for carpenter bees, ants, or larvae
- ✅ Treat the underlying insect problem FIRST — once bugs are gone, woodpecker leaves
- ✅ Repair holes with wood filler and paint; use hardwood or fiber-cement siding for repairs
- ✅ This is actually a HELPFUL warning — the bird is finding damage before you do
Pattern: One large, round, deep hole — usually 1.5–3+ inches diameter. Often on corners or near the roofline. Bird enters and exits the hole.
Damage: Severe. Structural compromise; water infiltration.
- ✅ Act immediately — once a cavity is started, they're persistent
- ✅ Cover the hole with hardware cloth (metal mesh) — must be metal, not plastic
- ✅ Install a nest box nearby as an alternative — the bird may accept it
- ✅ If already nesting: federal law (MBTA) protects active nests — wait until young fledge, then block the hole
- ✅ Long-term: replace wood siding with fiber-cement, vinyl, or metal
What NEVER to Do ðŦ
- Never harm, trap, or kill woodpeckers — all native woodpeckers are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Violations can result in fines up to $15,000.
- Don't use sticky/tacky bird repellents — these can mat feathers, causing hypothermia and death
- Don't rely on plastic owls or snakes alone — woodpeckers habituate within days. Move deterrents frequently or combine methods.
- Don't disturb an active nest — once eggs or chicks are present, federal law requires you to wait until they fledge (3–4 weeks)
The "Redirect" Strategy — My Favorite Approach ðĄ
Instead of fighting woodpeckers, give them something better than your house. Mount a tail-prop suet feeder and a natural log feeder on a tree in the opposite direction from the damage. Place a dead branch or small snag nearby for drumming. Offer peanuts and suet daily. Within 1–2 weeks, the woodpecker typically shifts its attention away from your siding. You solve the problem AND get to enjoy the bird. Win-win, and it's the approach I've recommended to hundreds of homeowners with a 90%+ success rate.
Quick Reference Table
All 7 species at a glance — print this for feeder-side use
| Species | Size | Key Field Mark | Best Food | Best Feeder | Habitat Need | Rarity at Feeders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downy WP | 6.75" | Small; short stubby bill | Suet, peanut butter | Any suet cage | Any trees, even small yards | ⭐ Very common |
| Hairy WP | 9.25" | Long chisel bill, head-length | Suet, peanuts | Tail-prop suet, log feeder | Mature trees, larger trunks | ⭐ Common |
| Red-bellied WP | 9.25" | Zebra-barred back, red cap | Peanuts, suet, sunflower | Peanut feeder, platform | Deciduous trees, snags | ⭐ Very common (East) |
| Pileated WP | 16.5" | Crow-sized! Red triangular crest | Suet, peanut butter | Tail-prop 18"+, log feeder | Large snags, mature forest | ð Uncommon — worth the wait! |
| N. Flicker | 12.5" | Brown; spotted belly; black bib | Suet, ants (ground) | Suet cage, ground feeding | Open areas with lawns + trees | ⭐ Common, often on ground |
| Red-headed WP | 9.25" | Entire head red; white wing blocks | Suet, peanuts, acorns | Suet, peanut feeder | Snags essential! Open woodland | ⚡ Declining — treasure sightings |
| YB Sapsucker | 8.5" | Red forehead; neat sap well rows | Suet, fruit, sugar water | Suet cage, fruit platform | Birch, maple, aspens (sap) | ⭐ Seasonal (migrant in East) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers from 25 years of woodpecker obsession
Don't woodpeckers get brain damage from all that hammering?
How do I tell a Downy from a Hairy Woodpecker?
Why is a woodpecker hammering on my house at 6 AM?
What suet should I buy — and does it matter?
Will woodpeckers use a nest box?
Do sapsucker holes kill trees?
How many woodpecker species can I attract to one yard?
Your Woodpecker Attraction Master Plan
25 years of expertise condensed into one action list
The 10 Woodpecker Commandments ðĄ
- Install a tail-prop suet feeder or DIY log feeder — the single most effective feeder type
- Offer premium suet year-round (no-melt in summer) — the #1 woodpecker food
- Add a peanut feeder — irresistible to Red-bellied, Downy, and Hairy
- Leave dead trees standing — more important than any feeder you can buy
- Stop using pesticides — every bug killed is a woodpecker meal lost
- Plant native oaks, birches, and maples — they host the insects woodpeckers need
- Keep a brush pile or log pile for ground-foraging Flickers and insect habitat
- Provide a water source — all woodpeckers bathe and drink; a dripper is ideal
- Don't clear every dead limb — those "messy" branches are drumming posts and food pantries
- If damage occurs: redirect, don't retaliate — offer better alternatives and address the root cause
ðŠĩ Build Your Woodpecker Haven Today
You now know more about attracting and living with woodpeckers than 99% of backyard birders. Put this guide into action — the drumming and pecking will follow.
- ✓Hang a tail-prop suet feeder
- ✓Fill with premium suet or peanut butter
- ✓Add a peanut feeder for variety
- ✓Leave that dead tree standing
- ✓Ditch the pesticides
- ✓Watch and listen — they're closer than you think
Share this guide with someone who hears woodpeckers but doesn't know which species! ðŠķ
About This Guide
Written from 25 years of field experience with North American woodpeckers across every habitat type — from suburban backyards to old-growth forests. Every species profile, feeder recommendation, and damage prevention technique has been personally tested and verified. This guide reflects what actually works in real-world conditions.
Last updated: 2025 · ↑ Back to Top
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