How do I Attract Woodpeckers?

I saw a woodpecker the other day and I’m not sure what to feed them. How can I encourage woodpeckers to feed up close? ~ Livonia, Michigan

Habitat
Woodpeckers are found across North America in dense and sparsely wooded areas as well as suburban yards with trees.

Recommended Foods
Though woodpeckers spend a majority of their time looking for natural food sources like beetle larvae, spiders, ants and other insects, you can attract these tough-beaked birds to your feeding station with the right mix of fat and protein-rich foods.

Wild Birds Unlimited Suets are high-energy, high-fat substances that woodpeckers enjoy, especially when it’s difficult to find insects. We offer a variety of flavors that will suit your woodpeckers’ tastes.

Nuts are also a great source for protein and fat and are great for attracting woodpeckers to your feeding station.

Some of my Favorite Woodpecker Feeders

• Wild Birds Unlimited EcoTough™ Tail Prop Suet Feeder. It allows woodpeckers to naturally feed while propping their tail for support. They can access either side of the feeder, and it is easy to fill and clean. It is made in the USA from recycled milk bottles and has a lifetime guarantee.
• Wild Birds Unlimited Mesh Peanut Feeders attract woodpeckers and other clinging birds. They can land and pull peanuts from any side of the feeder. It is easy to fill and clean, made in the USA and it comes with a lifetime guarantee.
• Wild Birds Unlimited Dinner Bell is a versatile bird feeder that can be filled with peanuts, Suet Snacks, seed cylinders or mealworms. The dome also provides protection from nasty weather. It's easy to fill and clean, made in the USA and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
• White cedar suet log feeders by Stovall at Wild Birds Unlimited in East Lansing, MI also attract birds because the natural wood is so inviting and the suet is easy to access. Stovall products promote environmentally green practices by using hand sorted discarded cedar pieces. The Shop is heated with scrap wood, cooled with natural shade, nestled in a glen of 25+ acres of beech/maple/oak forest in Michigan. Rumored staffing of woodland gnomes with a payroll of nuts and berries is still not verified.

These are just a few of the many feeders we have to keep the woodpeckers busy. If you come in to the stores we can show you even more possibilities!

Oh now I’m excited. Do you have a store near Livonia?

We own the East Lansing store. For a store location near you go to http://maps.wbu.com/find.php. I put in Livonia and Novi, MI (http://novi.wbu.com/) and Royal Oak (http://royaloak.wbu.com/) stores were the closest.

Thank you for all your help!!! I wish you were closer. I just found your blog while I was looking for information. I will definitely stop in to see you when we travel through Lansing. I think I’m addicted to your blog now.

I’m glad to help.
Sarah