How To Attract Woodpeckers to Your Yard

There are some strange birds found in North America and Europe.They can be found in dense wooded areas as well as suburban yards with trees.Birders get hours of entertainment when they eat large amounts of insects.It is possible to spot them year-round because they stay in the same range throughout the year.There are ways to attract birds to your yard.

Step 1: Know your birds.

There are many species of birds in North America and Europe.Knowing which ones you may encounter based on your location can help you sort out the feed and placement of feeders.The Downy Woodpecker is a bird that is found in the United States and parts of Canada.This bird likes the challenge of an upside-down feeders.The Downy Woodpecker has a long beak and is similar in appearance to the Hairy woodpecker, but it is shy in comparison.The United States and parts of Canada have been home to these woodpeckers.The bird doesn't typically eat from feeders.The Northern Flicker is found all over North America, even down to Central America.You can see spots of yellow and red in the sky, but they are usually covered in black markings.These birds like to feed on insects near the ground, but sometimes they will eat from feeders.In the Eastern United States, there are piles, Red-headed, and Red Bellied Woodpeckers.A pileated pecker has a red crest and white lines near its throat.Birds don't usually eat from feeders.The population of the Red-Headed Woodpecker may be encouraged with bird houses.A bird's diet includes fruit, seeds, nuts, and small rodents.The Red Bellied Woodpecker is a medium-sized bird with a bright red head and belly.The bird likes to eat at suet and nut feeders.There are two rare species of birds located in the western United States.Medium-sized Lewis's Woodpeckers have gray chests, a dark red face, and a pink belly.They eat insects from the surface of trees.There are red-naped sap suckers in the lower regions.They are known to eat from other trees as well as the willow trees.In small towns and villages in the UK, you can see European Green, Great Spotted, and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers.You can find Grey-headed, Black, Syrian, Middle Spotted, White-backed, and Three-toed varieties of the family in mainland Europe.

Step 2: The right feed is chosen.

Birds like nuts, insects, seeds, and are attracted to feeders that give them what they want in the wilds.A broad range of species can be attracted to your yard by offering the right food selection.Suet is found in beef and mutton.Most of the time, it is well-loved by the woodpeckers.Suet can be placed in special upside-down feeders that discourage starlings, while still allowing chickadees and woodpeckers to feed.Birds can get on bird wings if you feed them during warm summer months.This is dangerous because the summer months coincide with egg incubation and the suet on the shells blocks the oxygen from getting to the embryo.Birds love peanuts and black oil sunflower seeds, which are relatively cheap feed options.Most of the time fruit is eaten by the woodpeckers.Cut up oranges and apples have a lot of vitamins important for this active bird's health.Meal worms are the offspring of the beetle Tenebrio molitor.They should be placed in feeders that are deep enough to keep them out.If kept at 40–50 F, meal worms can last for weeks.

Step 3: It's a good idea to choose the right feeder.

You can attract the tough-beaked birds to your yard if you make the right choices about your feeders.The birds' eating positions will be supported by upright feeders.Birds' natural feeding preferences can be mimicked with feeders.Suet stations will be popular near a tree.The birds will feel more secure if you place your feeders in quieter areas.Visibility for always-vigilant woodpeckers is aided by well-lit, sunny areas.

Step 4: Provide water.

Birds drink and bathe in bird baths.They prefer a private bath close to the ground.The bath should be shallow--112"-2".You can place a small fountain with a running water pump in a shady area away from the center of the yard.To encourage the birds to use the bath, place low perches around it.It's important to watch out for ice forming in fountains during the cold winter months.Setting out a plastic bowl of water at the same time every day is the most efficient way to provide water to birds during these months.If you see ice forming, take this bowl.

Step 5: Provide shelter.

The ability to hide is what most birds love.The trees act as a food source for the birds.The woodpeckers will feel secure if a number of those types of trees are planted in a small area.Adding scrubby shrubs to the base of the trees will provide additional security for woodpeckers and can also provide them with additional food sources.The pileated woodpecker loves dead trees.If you want to encourage roosting and even nest, try keeping them on your property.Put a roosting box in your backyard during winter.The location of the box is important.The box should be placed close to the vegetation that the woodpeckers frequent.The boxes should be placed higher off the ground and on the poles.You can either buy the boxes or make your own.They should be easy to build and clean.

Step 6: Common birds can be considered if you don't live in an area with woodpeckers.

Become a backyard blue birder.

Step 7: You may be able to help out a few songbirds during the cold winter months.

Step 8: Building a sparrow nest box or birdbath is a good way to channel your handyman side.

Step 9: Are you planning a birdwatching trip?

Prepare for the best places to find the birds you're after.