Do you ever wonder what woodpeckers like to eat throughout the year? Figuring out the best bird food for woodpeckers can help them stay healthy and bring more of these fascinating birds to your yard.
Choosing the right foods for each season makes it easier for woodpeckers to thrive, even when natural food is hard to find. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced bird watcher, knowing what to offer can make feeding woodpeckers fun and rewarding.
1. Sunflower Seeds in Hopper Feeders – Perfect Year-Round for Bigger Woodpeckers
Looking for a simple way to attract woodpeckers? Try filling hopper feeders with sunflower seeds. These seeds are a real hit with bigger woodpeckers, offering them plenty of energy and a protein boost through all seasons.
Sunflower seeds are accepted by many woodpecker species, especially larger ones like the pileated woodpecker. They’re easy for birds to crack open and enjoy.
Backyard Feeding Tips
You can add a sturdy hopper feeder that holds lots of sunflower seeds. Want to go the extra mile? Plant sunflower varieties in your yard to provide both seeds and shelter!
2. Raw, Unsalted Peanuts – A Fat-Rich Favorite, Especially Loved by Downy, Hairy, and Red-Bellied Woodpeckers
Did you know woodpeckers go nuts for peanuts? Raw, unsalted peanuts are full of protein and fat, making them a top choice, especially for downy, hairy, and red-bellied woodpeckers. These birds can spot a peanut feast a mile away!
Curious about why peanuts work so well? Their protein and fat help woodpeckers stay active and healthy, especially in cold weather. Many bird lovers find that peanuts attract more than just woodpeckers to their yard.
Backyard Feeding Tips
Place peanuts in a wire mesh feeder, tray feeder, or even on a platform. Keep them dry to prevent mold. And remember, unsalted only—salt is harmful to birds!
3. Suet Cakes with Insects – Great in Winter to Provide Energy and Attract Various Woodpecker Species
Hungry woodpeckers need fat and protein when it’s cold outside. Suet cakes with added insects are a winter favorite. These give birds an energy boost to help them survive chilly nights.
What makes these treats so special? They combine suet (animal fat) with things like mealworms or insect bits. Many different woodpecker species, plus chickadees and wrens, love them in the colder months.
Backyard Feeding Tips
Hang suet cakes inside special cages to keep out squirrels. Place them near tree trunks for easy access. Want to attract even more birds? Try planting native trees and shrubs that attract natural insects for woodpeckers to snack on!
4. Mealworm Blocks – Treat Your Feathered Friends With These Protein-Packed Delights Mainly in Spring and Summer
Woodpeckers love mealworm blocks, especially when they’re feeding their chicks or building up energy for nesting. You can find both live and dried mealworms packed into blocks that are easy to hang from feeders.
These are best offered during spring and summer when birds need extra protein. Mealworms draw in a variety of bug-eating birds, but woodpeckers seem extra keen once temperatures warm up.
Backyard Feeding Tips
Try placing mealworm blocks in a sturdy suet cage or a platform feeder. Want another trick? Planting native shrubs and small trees can attract insects, which encourages even more birds to visit. For some extra tips, see how other birders feed mealworms to wild birds and learn more at Your Guide to Feeding Mealworms to Birds.
5. Fly Grubs – A Surefire Way to Lure Woodpeckers During Warmer Months, Mimicking Their Natural Diet
Fly grubs are like a gourmet treat for woodpeckers once the weather heats up. These protein-packed snacks resemble the bugs that woodpeckers search for in bark and dead wood. If you want woodpeckers to visit your yard in summer, try offering grubs—they’re a top pick over ordinary seed mixes for many species.
Backyard Feeding Tips
Add fly grubs to a platform feeder or simply scatter them on a tree stump. Want to go the extra mile? Plant native trees that naturally host insects, encouraging more woodpecker visits.
6. Acorns and Beechnuts – Nut Options That Woodpeckers Enjoy in Fall and Winter When Foraging Is Tough
When temperatures drop and bugs are hard to find, woodpeckers start looking for acorns and beechnuts. These nuts are packed with energy, making them a great winter snack for hungry birds.
Did you know Acorn Woodpeckers actually use their strong beaks to stash acorns in tree holes? They’re real pros at planning ahead when food gets scarce!
Backyard Feeding Tips
You can help by placing raw, unsalted acorns and beechnuts on a sturdy platform feeder. Want to attract more woodpeckers? Plant native oak and beech trees in your yard for a steady nut supply!
7. Pine Nuts – Another Winter Favorite, Found Naturally and Great as Backyard Feed
Pine nuts are a hit with many woodpeckers, especially when the weather turns cold. Ever see a woodpecker pecking away at a pine cone? They’re probably reaching for the tasty seeds inside!
Since pine nuts grow naturally in many forests, woodpeckers are used to finding them. These seeds are packed with energy, which is perfect for those chilly winter days.
Backyard Feeding Tips
You can offer pine nuts in platform feeders or sprinkle a few right on tree branches. Want to go the extra mile? Planting pine trees in your yard gives woodpeckers a steady food source and a cozy spot to visit.
8. Mixed Nuts in a Squirrel Buster Peanut Plus Feeder – Keeps Nuts Fresh and Offers Variety Like Walnuts and Pecans
It can be tricky keeping nuts fresh and away from sneaky squirrels! But with a Squirrel Buster Peanut Plus Feeder, you get a heavy-duty feeder that blocks squirrels but lets woodpeckers snack in peace.
This feeder fits pieces of walnuts, pecans, peanuts, and more, letting you offer a mix that woodpeckers love. Want to add some variety and attract more birds? Try adding pieces of different nuts to keep things interesting.
Backyard Feeding Tips
Choose unsalted nuts and break large ones into smaller pieces for easy eating. Hang your feeder about 5 feet off the ground, and near trees if possible. Planting nut trees, such as walnuts or pecans, can also attract woodpeckers to your yard naturally.
9. Raw Pastry with Cheese and Lard – An Unusual but Loved Homemade Treat During Colder Months
Ever tried offering woodpeckers raw pastry mixed with cheese and lard? It might sound odd, but these homemade treats are a hit, especially in winter. This combo gives woodpeckers extra fat to help them stay warm when temperatures drop.
It’s easy to make. Simply mix uncooked pastry with small pieces of cheese and lard, then shape it into small balls or cakes.
Backyard Feeding Tips
Place the mixture in a wire mesh feeder, so woodpeckers have something sturdy to cling to. Try hanging the feeder near trees, or add berry plants nearby to make your backyard even more inviting for these awesome birds.
10. Standard Seed Mixes – Attracts Woodpeckers but Mix With Insect Treats for Best Results
Standard seed mixes are easy to find and can attract woodpeckers to your backyard. These often have sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and nuts. But did you know woodpeckers love insects even more?
Adding insect treats like mealworms or fly grubs to your seed mix gets woodpeckers really excited. They’ll visit more often and stay longer for a tasty bite.
Backyard Feeding Tips
Offer seeds and insect treats in a sturdy platform or hopper feeder. For extra attraction, plant native trees or shrubs that produce berries and host insects. This makes your yard a dream spot for woodpeckers!
