Woodpeckers are the charismatic carpenters of the backyard bird world. Their rhythmic drumming and striking plumage bring dynamic energy to any garden. Attracting them requires more than just hanging any old feeder; it’s about understanding their unique anatomy and feeding habits. A specialized feeder can turn your yard into a bustling hub for Downy, Hairy, and even the majestic Pileated Woodpecker.
Success hinges on three things: the right feeder design, the most enticing foods, and smart placement. Forget the standard tube feeder. Woodpeckers need support. Their stiff tail feathers act as a third leg, requiring a solid surface to brace against. This is where a proper tail prop design becomes non-negotiable. For a reliable, ready-to-use option, many enthusiasts start with the Gbekery Wooden Suet feeder, which offers a natural wood look and a sturdy base perfect for these birds.
How Woodpeckers Eat: It’s All About the Tail
You’ve seen it. A woodpecker hitches itself to a tree trunk, using its stiff tail feathers for balance. This “tripod” stance is fundamental. They can’t comfortably perch on a tiny wire like a finch. Their feeding style is all about hammering, probing, and clinging. This behavior dictates everything about the feeder you choose. A flat surface or an integrated prop is key. Without it, you’ll likely only attract more agile birds like starlings or nuthatches, leaving your target visitors frustrated.
Top Woodpecker Feeders: A Tailored Review
Not all feeders are created equal. The best ones cater specifically to woodpecker physiology, offering security and easy access to their favorite foods. Heres a breakdown of the top categories and models to consider.
1. The Classic Tail-Prop Suet Feeder
This is the gold standard. A simple cage, often with a longer bottom or an extended ledge, gives woodpeckers the space to brace their tails. Brands like Birds Choice excel here. Their models often feature a roof for weather protection and are built from durable recycled plastic. Perfect for holding standard suet cakes.
- Best For: Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers.
- Key Feature: Explicit tail prop design.
2. The Log-Style Feeder
Mimics a natural tree trunk. These feeders have holes drilled into a wood or synthetic log that you pack with a mix of peanut butter, suet, and seeds. It feels incredibly natural to woodpeckers and often includes perches for other backyard birds like chickadees.
- Best For: Creating a natural feeding station; attracting a wider variety of birds.
- Key Feature: Encourages natural foraging behavior.
3. The Squirrel-Proof Specialist
If raccoons and squirrels are a nightmare, this is your solution. Look for a squirrel proof woodpecker feeder with a weight-activated mechanism. When a squirrel climbs on, the access ports close. Droll Yankees and others make excellent models. Often, these are paired with a squirrel baffle on the pole for double protection.
- Best For: High-squirrel areas; protecting expensive suet and nuts.
- Key Feature: Weight-sensitive closure system.
4. The Peanut Feeder
A metal mesh tube designed for whole or shelled peanuts. Woodpeckers love to pick peanuts directly through the mesh. It provides a great source of fat and protein, especially in winter. Ensure the mesh is sturdy enough to withstand their powerful beaks.
- Best For: Supplementing suet; attracting larger species like the Northern Flicker.
- Key Feature: Durable metal mesh construction.
What to Put in Your Woodpecker Feender
Filling your feeder correctly is half the battle. While suet cakes are the undisputed champion, diversity brings more species to your bird watching checklist.
Primary Attractant: Suet
Rendered beef fat is pure energy. For the best suet for downy woodpeckers, choose cakes with added nuts, insects, or fruit. Avoid “no-melt” suets in very cold weather, as they can be harder for small birds to eat. Plain suet is fine, but mixes are more enticing.
High-Value Additions
- Peanuts: Whole, shelled, or in pieces. A universal woodpecker favorite.
- Mealworms: A protein-packed alternative food, especially loved during breeding season. Offer dried or live in a dedicated dish.
- Black Oil Sunflower Seeds: While do woodpeckers like sunflower seed feeders? They’ll visit tube feeders for them, but they prefer hulled seeds or chips to avoid the work.
Specialty Food: Nectar for Sapsuckers
A missing entity many guides overlook. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a woodpecker that drills sap wells. You can attract them with a simple sugar-water nectar solution, similar to what you’d use for hummingbirds but often in a shallow cup.
How to Install and Position Your Feeder
How to mount a woodpecker feeder correctly determines its success. Placement is about safety, visibility, and accessibility.
Ideal Placement
Where to place a woodpecker feeder in your yard? Think like a woodpecker. They feel safest near cover but need a clear flight path.
- Within 10-15 feet of a tree trunk or shrubbery for quick escape.
- Away from busy windows to prevent collisions.
- In a relatively quiet area of your yard.
Mounting Methods
Consider your specific mounting hardware. A simple hook on a tree is easy. For poles, use a sturdy squirrel baffle below the feeder. To attract pileated woodpeckers, you might need a more robust mount on a solid tree, as these large birds are powerful. For siding or fences, use a dedicated bracket that distributes weight and protects your structure.
Troubleshooting Your Woodpecker Feeder
Even with the perfect setup, challenges arise. Heres how to handle common issues.
The Squirrel Problem
How to stop squirrels from eating woodpecker suet is the eternal question. A two-pronged approach works best.
- Use a weight-activated squirrel proof woodpecker feeder.
- Install a wide, domed squirrel baffle on the pole or above a hanging feeder. Place it at least 5 feet off the ground.
Weather and Maintenance
Suet can spoil in heat. In warm climates, offer no-melt suet or switch to more nut-based mixes. Regularly clean your feeder with a mild bleach solution to prevent disease. Check mounting hardware seasonally for wear and tear.
Attracting Specific Species
Want to know what is the best bird feeder to attract red-bellied woodpeckers? They love suet and peanuts but are also frequent visitors to platform feeders with fruit. For the giant Pileated, use a large, heavy-duty tail-prop feeder secured to a mature tree. They need a substantial perch area.
Beyond the Feeder: Creating a Habitat
A feeder is a great start, but woodpeckers thrive in a supportive habitat. Leave dead trees (snags) standing if safe to do sothey are prime foraging and nesting sites. Provide a fresh water source year-round; a heated bird bath can be a lifesaver in winter. For the ultimate in backyard bird watching, consider integrating a birdhouse with a camera to observe nesting behavior up close.
For definitive identification and behavior notes, always cross-reference with an authority guide like the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s database.
Your Blueprint for Success
Attracting woodpeckers transforms casual bird feeding into an engaging natural spectacle. Start with a proper suet feeder that has a tail prop design. Stock it with high-energy suet, peanuts, and maybe some mealworms. Mount it securely near cover but in the open, using a squirrel baffle as your first line of defense. Be patient. It might take a few days for these deliberate birds to find your new restaurant. But once they do, you’ll be rewarded with their vibrant colors, fascinating behaviors, and the unique rhythm they bring to your outdoor space. The key is catering to their specific needsgive them a sturdy place to perch, and they’ll gladly come for dinner.
