Attracting & Feeding Woodpeckers

by Stan Tekiela

Overview

Learn to attract and feed a variety of woodpeckers with this pocket-sized guide.

The splash of red on black and white—few backyard guests are more exciting to behold than the Downy Woodpecker. And what can capture a bird-watcher’s attention like a woodpecker drumming against a tree? You love these beloved birds, and you want to see them visiting your backyard or garden. Professional naturalist and award-winning author Stan Tekiela teaches you all that you need to know about woodpeckers, from flickers to sapsuckers.

The handy book is divided into three main sections. First, you’ll learn all about woodpeckers: facts, range, habitat, calls, nests, and more. Up next, you’ll be introduced to suet and other foods—such as seeds and grains—that keep woodpeckers coming back. In the third section, Stan tells you which feeders woodpeckers prefer and why. You’ll also be given information on placing feeders, cleaning feeders, and protecting woodpeckers.

Find out how to make your yard into a habitat that woodpeckers will love. Then enjoy Stan’s woodpecker photography, trivia, and quick tips. This is truly your guide to attracting and feeding woodpeckers!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781647553401
Publisher:	Adventure Publications, Incorporated
Publication date:	11/08/2022
Series:	Backyard Bird Feeding Guides
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	25 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Naturalist, wildlife photographer and writer Stan Tekiela is the author of more than 190 field guides, nature books, children’s books, wildlife audio CDs, puzzles and playing cards, presenting many species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, trees, wildflowers and cacti in the United States. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural History from the University of Minnesota and as an active professional naturalist for more than 30 years, Stan studies and photographs wildlife throughout the United States and Canada. He has received various national and regional awards for his books and photographs. Also a well-known columnist and radio personality, his syndicated column appears in more than 25 newspapers and his wildlife programs are broadcast on a number of Midwest radio stations.

Read an Excerpt

Feeder Types

Suet Feeder: A treated metal cage that holds a preformed cake of suet. Woodpeckers feed easily from styles with a tail prop or with perching stands at the bottom. Some varieties have a roof, which sheds rainwater and snow accumulation and protects the food from bird scat. Hangs from a chain or pole, or attaches to a post.

Mesh Feeder: Constructed with metal mesh to hold peanuts. Usually consists of a long tube large enough to hold a plentiful supply of nuts. Can have small openings for peanut pieces or larger openings for peanuts in shells. Either way, woodpeckers need to work at getting the peanuts out. Releases only one nut at a time.

Platform, Tray or Ground Feeder: Also known as a fly-through feeder. Usually has a flat, open surface for seeds. Hangs from a series of wires or chains, rests on a central post or pole, or sits on the ground with the bottom of the tray about 12 inches off the ground. Made of wood or metal and often has a series of holes or slots for water drainage. Some have a protective roof.

Hopper Feeder: Often made of wood or recycled material. The central storage area, called the hopper, releases seeds slowly. A hopper holds many more seeds than other types of feeders and also keeps the food dry. You can see the seed level through the plexiglass sides, so you know when to refill.

Tube Feeder: A clear plastic tube with feeding pegs at metal openings for accessing seeds. Small to large sizes hold different amounts of seeds. Some varieties have a bottom tray for extra seeds, which woodpeckers use as a landing platform. Hang from shepherd’s hooks or set on top of posts or poles.

Mealworm Feeder: These feeders are usually plastic with tall sides. The material needs to be slippery so live mealworms can’t crawl out. Many kinds of dishes and trays can be used to offer mealworms to woodpeckers. You can recycle a plastic food container and fashion your own design. Just be sure to put some drainage holes in the bottom.

Placing Feeders

It’s a distinct pleasure to see and feed woodpeckers, so always put feeders where you can easily watch and enjoy these amazing birds. They should be placed near an area where you spend a lot of time comfortably in your home and where you can see outside clearly.

Most feeding stations are about 20–40 feet away from residences. Placing feeders nearer will draw the birds to where you can easily see them. However, the closer the feeders, the more likely you will have window strikes.

Feeders close to shrubs or other cover give woodpeckers a place to stage and look for predators before flying in to feed. Plant cover also gives them a quick place to hide in case a hawk swoops in to snatch a feeder bird. Feeders in the middle of large open spaces usually will not attract many woodpeckers.

Place feeders where squirrels can’t get to them. The basic placement rule is 5 feet and 8 feet—meaning that feeders should be at least 5 feet off the ground and at least 8 feet from any other surface from which a squirrel can jump. This includes trees, houses, sheds, charcoal grills, birdbaths, patio furniture and anything else a squirrel can climb to jump onto feeders.

When placing feeders, be sure to install a squirrel or raccoon baffle on each one. Baffles are metal tubes or flared metal shields that prevent animals from climbing your shepherd’s hooks and accessing the bird food.

Table of Contents

All About Woodpeckers

• Facts
• Range & Habitat
• Calls & Drumming
• Cavity Nests
• Eggs, Chicks & Juveniles
• Woodpecker Trivia

Feeding Woodpeckers

• Suet
• Peanuts & Peanut Butter
• Seeds & Grains
• Live & Dried Mealworms
• Fresh & Dried Fruits
• Storing Bird Food
• Feeding Q&A

Bird Feeders

• Feeder Types
• Placing Feeders

Maintaining Feeders & Good Practices

• Cleaning Your Feeders
• Protecting Woodpeckers

About the Author