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Woodpeckers

Member of the Picidae Family: Sapsuckers ... Flickers

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Attracting Woodpeckers ... Controlling Undesirable Woodpecker Activities on your Property ... Nesting / Breeding ... Woodpecker Species

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Woodpeckers are found worldwide and include numerous species, usually numbered at 218 (including the Ivory-billed).

Some woodpeckers and wrynecks in the order Piciformes have zygodactyl feet, with two toes pointing forward, and two backward. These feet, though adapted for clinging to a vertical surface, can be used for grasping or perching. Several species have only three toes.

The long tongue found in some woodpeckers can be darted forward to capture insects.

Woodpeckers gained their English name because of the habit of some species of tapping and pecking noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. This is both a means of communication to signal possession of territory to their rivals, and a method of locating and accessing insect larvae found under the bark or in long winding tunnels in the tree. The woodpecker first locates a tunnel by tapping on the trunk. Once a tunnel is found, the woodpecker chisels out wood till it makes an opening into the tunnel. Then it worms its tongue into the tunnel to try to locate the grub. The tongue of the woodpecker is long and ends in a barb. With its tongue the woodpecker skewers the grub and draws it out of the trunk. (Source: Wikipedia.org)

Breeding / Nesting:

Each breeding season, woodpeckers will take a week or two to dig a new hole in a living or dying tree to build their nest. The nest is about 6 to 8 inches (15 - 45 cm) below the opening. They sometimes use existing holes in stumps, poles or posts located in woodland areas and parks. Some woodpeckers will also use nest boxes provided in suburban locations.

These nests are lined only with wood chips and hold 2-8 white eggs laid by the females. Because the nests are out of sight, they are not visible to predators and eggs do not need to be camouflaged. Cavities created by woodpeckers are also reused as nests by other birds, such as some ducks and owls, and mammals, such as tree squirrels

Attracting Woodpeckers: Food: The easiest way to attract Woodpeckers to your property is to provide them with the foods they love! Woodpecker Mixes, as well as protein-rich cakes, dehydrated insects and nuts, are all winners. Often, woodpeckers will store food by wedging it deep into crevices. They prefer to forage in deciduous trees, but will also forage on the ground. Males tend to forage along trunks and large branches while females target slimmer, higher branches. If you don’t mind having a "wild" look to your property, consider leaving a dead tree standing or incorporating a fallen log into a woodland-style garden scene. These hunting grounds will attract red-bellies as well as other exciting woodpeckers. And as always, make sure you have a good supply of water available. Nesting Boxes: They may also accept nesting boxes, such as Pileated Woodecker Nest Boxes.

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Woodpecker Species

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