Attracting Downy Woodpeckers

March’s Bird of the Month is the Downy Woodpecker! With their colourful feathers and lively personalities, woodpeckers make a captivating addition to any backyard. Their distinctive habit of foraging vertically on tree trunks provides endless entertainment, while their diet of insects like beetles, grubs, and ants makes them valuable natural pest controllers for garden enthusiasts. You’ll know you have Downy Woodpeckers nearby when you hear their signature “drumming” as they tap on trees or other structures. Since Downy Woodpeckers are year-round residents, they are a welcome presence in all seasons. But how can we create a backyard that’s inviting to these fascinating birds?

Offer a Variety of Food:
Downy Woodpeckers enjoy a diverse diet, foraging for insects, nuts, and berries in the wild. In your yard, they’ll appreciate offerings like suet, peanut butter, peanuts, and black oil sunflower seeds. These birds are often quite cautious, so placing feeders and water sources in quieter corners of your yard, especially near mature trees, will help them feel at ease.

Make sure any suet you provide stays fresh. You can break it into smaller pieces or use suet cakes packed with sunflower seeds, which they will devour quickly.

Provide Clean, Fresh Water:
While Downy Woodpeckers do enjoy visiting birdbaths, they are somewhat shy about using them. Placing them in more secluded spots is ideal. A ground bird bath with a dripper or moving water feature will catch their attention, make sure the water depth is shallow—around 1-2 inches is perfect.  Adding perches nearby will make them accustomed to the bath over time. Always keep the bath clean to avoid the spread of disease. In winter, it’s essential to offer heated bird baths so the birds have access to fresh water even in freezing temperatures.

Create Safe, Secure Sheltering and Nesting Areas:
Downy Woodpeckers thrive in small, wooded spaces surrounded by mature trees, with the added benefit of shrubs, especially those with berries. They nest in tree cavities but will also appreciate a well-positioned birdhouse with an entrance hole suited to their size, mounted 10-20 feet above the ground.

Attracting Too Many Woodpeckers
While it’s a joy to host woodpeckers in your yard, sometimes, these birds can cause problems. If they begin pecking at wooden siding, eaves, fences, or even chimneys and downspouts, the damage can be significant. To prevent this, repair any damage and cover the area with wire mesh or netting to deter further pecking. Hanging reflective items near the problem area can also help prevent woodpeckers from targeting inappropriate surfaces.

By providing these woodpecker-friendly resources, you can enjoy the company of these energetic and charming birds while keeping them safe and content in your backyard.

Sources:
Attract Downy Woodpeckers to Your Backyard – Songbird Station
Different Woodpecker Species and How to Attract Them