Last Updated on January 26, 2024 by Greg Gillson
Small black-and-white birds, Downy Woodpeckers are familiar backyard birds across Canada and the United States. They are only absent in the Southwestern deserts.
They readily come to bird feeders, providing joy and sparking curiosity.
How do you attract Downy Woodpeckers to your feeder? Follow these suggestions to attract Downy Woodpeckers to your yard.
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| Downy Woodpecker. Greg Gillson. |
Why attract Downy Woodpeckers to your bird feeder?
Downy Woodpeckers crawl over wood posts and hang from small tree limbs. They are different in behavior from the regular seed eating sparrows, finches, and chickadees. Thus, they provide unique behavior to watch.
These birds aren’t overly fearful. They are fairly easy to watch and enjoy.
Once you attract Downy Woodpeckers to your feeder they loyally return, providing hours of entertainment.
These birds get along well with other birds at the feeder. They are quite small, so aren’t overly aggressive toward other feeder birds.
They are year-round residents. Once they find your feeder they will return throughout the year.
Downy Woodpeckers have slight plumage variations across North America. Western birds are duskier. How do your birds differ from other populations in your field guide?
What foods will attract Downy Woodpeckers to your feeder?
The best food to attract Downy Woodpeckers is suet. They really like it!
For my home feeders, I always purchase St Albans Bay Suet blocks. It comes in several flavors, including peanut and berry. They fit in required special suet cages, which are a type of bird feeder.
They will also enjoy eating nuts, shelled peanuts, and peanut pieces. They like peanut butter too.
Downy Woodpeckers will eat sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and mealworms.
If you want to buy a mixed bird seed that all birds will like, including Downy Woodpeckers, I really like Wagner’s Songbird Supreme. It is 50% sunflower seeds and doesn’t have any cheap filler seed that birds won’t eat. This seed attracts the largest variety of birds to your feeder.
What kind of feeders do Downy Woodpeckers like?
Downy Woodpeckers are small enough that they can feed from any kind of feeder.
They feed better from hopper and platform feeders, though, than from tube feeders.
I really love the way my iBorn tube feeder looks, with it’s copper top. A screwdriver takes off the lower perch and opens it up for cleaning. This feeder filled with black oil sunflower seeds attracts all types of finches, chickadees, and nuthatches. The smaller perches and lack of tray mean that you’ll have fewer House Sparrows, Starlings, Doves, and Jays at this feeder.
Downy Woodpeckers readily eat from all types of suet feeders, including suet cages. To keep starlings and jays from eating all the suet before the other birds get any, try an upside-down suet feeder.
I bought a Nature’s Way Upside-down suet feeder a couple years ago and have been very happy with it. Chickadees, nuthatches, bushtits, and woodpeckers eat from it easily. But starlings, blackbirds, and jays can’t hang upside down to get at the suet.
If you feed Downy Woodpeckers shelled peanuts, there is a special mesh peanut feeder just for them!
Where to place your bird feeder for Downy Woodpeckers
Don’t place your bird feeder in the open, out in the middle of lawn.
It’s best for most birds, including Downy Woodpeckers, if there is a staging perch. This is a tree or structure they fly to near the feeder. They stop here first. Then they check out the feeder to make sure it’s safe, before hopping over to the feeder.
Keep Downy Woodpeckers safe from neighborhood cats by keeping feeders raised above 4 feet. These birds aren’t fast fliers and cats can catch them when they are low to the ground.
Make sure you are able to spot these tiny woodpeckers when they visit. Place your suet or nut feeder so that you can see it easily from your window. And enjoy!
How else can you attract Downy Woodpeckers to your yard?
Downy Woodpeckers sometimes drink from hummingbird feeders and oriole nectar feeders. Their long thin tongues are very similar to the tongues of hummingbirds!
These birds eat insects from small trees and even large shrubs. They may eat fruit from landscape plants like hackberries, holly, and rose bushes.
Problems with Downy Woodpeckers: If you have attracted too many to your feeder
It is rare, but Downy Woodpeckers may drill holes in your house. They don’t have strong bills. But they may find soft siding in spring in which they may drill a cavity nest.
They may also drill out insects from your house, if it is infested with termites or other wood-boring insects.
More commonly, though, they may “sing” a territorial song by rapping rapidly on hollow wood or metal downspouts.
To discourage woodpeckers, stop feeding suet and nuts at your feeder.
Hang strips of reflective bird scare tape from the eaves near where they are damaging your home. Unfortunately, I’ve had to do this to keep Gila Woodpeckers from drilling practice nest holes in my soft cedar siding
Wrapping Up
There are many reasons why Downy Woodpeckers are so beloved by birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike! Here are some of the top reasons:
Cuteness and charm:
- Small and fluffy: Their diminutive size (5-7 inches) and fluffy plumage give them a cuddly, endearing appearance.
- Active and playful: They flit about trees with remarkable agility, often peeking around branches with a curious expression, adding to their charm.
- Sweet vocalizations: Their high-pitched calls and drumming sounds are pleasant and familiar, adding a sweet melody to the natural soundscape.
Ubiquity and ease of observation:
- Widespread distribution: Found throughout most of North America, they are readily encountered in various habitats like woodlands, backyards, and parks.
- Backyard visitors: They readily visit feeders for suet and seeds, attracting them to human-made spaces and allowing for close observation.
- Diurnal habits: Active during the day, making them easier to spot compared to nocturnal birds.
Symbiotic and beneficial:
- Insect control: They play a crucial role in controlling insect populations by foraging for grubs and beetles on trees, benefiting both the ecosystem and humans.
- Natural engineers: Their drumming and excavation create nesting cavities used by other birds, promoting biodiversity and ecological balance.
- Resilient and adaptable: Despite facing urban challenges, they successfully adapt to various environments, showcasing their tenacity and ecological importance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is it to see a Downy Woodpecker?
Seeing a Downy Woodpecker wouldn’t be considered rare in most parts of its extensive range within North America. They are widespread and common, found in various habitats like woodlands, forests, parks, backyards, and even urban areas.
However, whether you see one often depends on several factors:
Your location: Their abundance can vary across their range. They are more common in forested areas and regions with mature trees, where they readily find food and nesting sites. In areas with limited suitable habitat, sightings might be less frequent.
Time of year: They are year-round residents in most of their range, so you might see them throughout the year. However, their movements during migrations can influence local abundance. You might see larger numbers during spring and fall migrations, while populations might be less concentrated during breeding season or winter.
Habitat type: They are more likely to be seen in habitats they prefer, such as forests with dead or dying trees, where they can easily find food and nesting sites. In open areas or urban environments with limited trees, sightings might be less frequent.
What is the difference between a Downy and Hairy Woodpecker?
While Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers are closely related and share many similarities, there are key differences that can help you tell them apart.
Here’s a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | Downy Woodpecker | Hairy Woodpecker |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 5-7 inches | 7-9 inches |
| Bill | Short and stubby | Long and strong |
| Tail Feathers | Outer feathers with black bars/spots | Plain white outer feathers |
| Male Head Pattern | Single red patch | Divided red patch |
| Habitat | Open woodlands, edges of forests, backyards | Denser forests, mature trees |
| Vocalization | Higher-pitched | Lower-pitched |
Does the Downy Woodpecker have a predator?
Unfortunately, the Downy Woodpecker, despite its adaptations and camouflage, faces a variety of predators throughout its life cycle. Here’s a breakdown of some of their key threats:
Aerial Predators:
- Hawks: Cooper’s Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Northern Goshawks are all known to prey on Downy Woodpeckers, especially in open areas where they have few places to hide.
- Falcons: American Kestrels and Peregrine Falcons can be swift predators, catching Downy Woodpeckers in mid-flight.
- Owls: Great Horned Owls and Eastern Screech Owls are skilled nocturnal hunters, potentially catching Downy Woodpeckers while they roost at night.
Ground Predators:
- Domestic cats: Free-roaming cats pose a significant threat to Downy Woodpeckers and other small birds, especially at feeders and near houses.
- Snakes: Garter snakes, Rat Snakes, and Eastern Ribbon Snakes can all eat Downy Woodpecker eggs and nestlings.
- Other mammals: Small mammals like weasels, mink, and foxes can also prey on Downy Woodpeckers, although their impact is generally less significant than cats or snakes.
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Next in series: Irresistible! Attract Hairy Woodpeckers to your feeder
