Brenda Khan
Woodpeckers are part of the bird family Picidae, which is found worldwide except for a few regions. They are known for their distinctive behaviour of foraging for food and communicating by drumming with their beaks. So, what does the woodpecker diet consist of? These birds are omnivorous and opportunistic, feeding on insects, larvae, ants, termites, beetles, caterpillars, spiders, small animals, birds' eggs, fruits, nuts, seeds, sap, nectar, and even human scraps. Some species, like the Acorn Woodpecker, predominantly feed on acorns, while others, such as the Northern Flicker, forage on the ground for ants and termites.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main diet | Insects |
| Dietary adaptability | Fruits, nuts, seeds, sap |
| Insect detection | Visual, auditory |
| Insect extraction | Long, sticky tongue |
| Food sources | Dead wood, backyard bird feeders |
| Food storage | In tree crevices, under bark, in ground holes |
| Favorite treats | Oranges, grapes, apples, peanut butter |
| Bird feeders | Hopper, platform, tray, cage |
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What You'll Learn
Insects, larvae, and other invertebrates
Insects are the most important component of most woodpecker species' diets. They feed on a variety of insects, including ants, termites, beetles, grubs, larvae, and other invertebrates. Some species, like the Northern Flicker, are regularly sighted foraging on the ground for ants and termites.
Woodpeckers have several methods for finding and capturing insects. They use their keen eyesight to visually inspect bark surfaces and crevices, looking for small holes or irregularities that indicate insect activity. They also have an incredible sense of hearing, allowing them to detect the subtle sounds of larvae feeding, scraping wood, or moving beneath the bark. Once they've located their prey, they use their long, sticky tongues to extract the insects from the wood. Their strong zygodactyl feet and sharp, chisel-like bills help them grip and drill into the wood.
Some woodpeckers, like the Green Woodpecker, can eat hundreds or even thousands of ants in one go. Ants are a particularly important food source for the Pileated Woodpecker, especially during the winter months. They are well-adapted to finding their insect prey hidden deep within decaying wood, such as fallen logs and rotting tree stumps.
In addition to insects, woodpeckers also consume other invertebrates. For example, the sapsucker, a type of woodpecker, relies heavily on tree sap as a key component of its diet. They create small, shallow holes, known as "sapsucker wells," to access the sugary, nutrient-rich liquid. These wells also attract insects, providing an additional food source for the sapsuckers and other species.
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Nuts, seeds, and fruit
While insects are a staple in the woodpecker diet, these birds will also eat nuts, seeds, and fruit. In fact, woodpeckers are known for their adaptability when it comes to food, taking advantage of whatever is available in their environment.
Nuts are a favourite food of woodpeckers, who will happily eat peanuts, either shelled or unshelled, and peanut butter. Some species, such as the Acorn Woodpecker, will also store nuts in tree crevices, under bark, or in holes in the ground for later consumption.
Seeds are another important food source for woodpeckers. They can be found in bird feeders, but woodpeckers will also forage for them in the wild. Sunflower seeds are a particular favourite, especially when served in a hopper or platform feeder, which gives the larger woodpeckers easy access.
Fruit is also enjoyed by woodpeckers, who will eat berries, apples, oranges, and grapes. They will also drink nectar from blossoms or feeders, and some will even eat suet cakes with "berry" or "fruit" flavours.
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Sap, nectar, and honey
Woodpeckers are highly adaptable when it comes to their diet and will eat whatever is available in their habitat. They are also capable of storing food to eat later. While they are known to eat insects, fruits, and even small vertebrates, some woodpeckers also include sap, nectar, and honey in their diet.
Sap
Woodpeckers are known to drill into trees in search of protein-rich insects and tree sap. The Williamson's sapsucker, the yellow-bellied sapsucker, the red-naped sapsucker, and the red-breasted sapsucker are among the less well-known sap-feeding woodpecker species. The Williamson's sapsucker is the oldest species of sapsucker, dating back about 40 million years. The sapsucker's body and behaviour are specialized for the mechanics of eating sap. For example, it has a brush at the end of its tongue, unlike the spear and rake of other woodpeckers, and its tongue does not extend as far out of its bill.
The acorn woodpecker, the downy woodpecker, the hairy woodpecker, and the red-bellied woodpecker are also known to feed on sap. These woodpeckers create sap wells by boring little round holes through the bark of trees, usually apple trees, without penetrating the wood of the branch. These holes form a complete circle around the branch, about half an inch apart, and are believed to be for the purpose of sap-sucking.
Nectar
Woodpeckers also feed on the nectar of blossoms, as well as bottled or homemade nectar made for orioles or hummingbirds. They are particularly attracted to grape, apple, or marmalade flavours.
Honey
While there is no specific mention of woodpeckers consuming honey, it is safe to assume that they would be attracted to it due to their sweet tooth for sap and nectar. However, it is important to note that woodpeckers are opportunistic feeders and will eat whatever is available in their environment.
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Eggs, small animals, and carrion
Woodpeckers are omnivores with a varied diet. While insects are a staple, they also eat eggs, small animals, and carrion.
Woodpeckers are known to eat bird eggs, hatchlings, and fledglings. They have been known to raid nests, killing and eating parts of the young birds. Woodpeckers also eat lizards and, rarely, small rodents such as mice. They will also scavenge for meat that has been killed by another animal, though this is not their preferred food.
Woodpeckers are well-adapted to finding food. Their strong, chisel-like beaks can break through wood, shells, and prey. Their long, elastic tongues are sticky, allowing them to extract insects from tunnels. They also have strong zygodactyl feet for clinging to tree bark and powerful neck muscles that provide shock absorption.
Woodpeckers are also able to catch insects in mid-flight. They use their sense of smell to locate prey by detecting high concentrations of formic acid. They then tap on portions of trees and listen for movement before boring into the wood to extract their prey.
The diet of a woodpecker changes with the seasons. Insects are more scarce in winter, so woodpeckers rely more on plant foods like nuts, seeds, and fruits. In spring and summer, when it is the nesting season, insects are essential for both adult woodpeckers and their growing chicks.
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Suet, peanut butter, and scraps
Woodpeckers are characterised by their dietary flexibility, with many species being highly omnivorous and opportunistic. While insects are the most important component of most woodpecker species' diets, they also eat a variety of other foods, including suet, peanut butter, and scraps.
Suet, a hard beef fat, is a popular food for woodpeckers and can be purchased in the form of suet cakes that fit into basic suet cage feeders. Woodpeckers will also happily eat suet that has been smeared directly onto tree bark.
Peanut butter, or peanut feed, is another food that woodpeckers enjoy. It is important to ensure that the peanut butter or peanuts are unsalted, as salted varieties may be harmful to these birds. Peanut-specific feeders are available, but woodpeckers will also eat peanut butter from platform feeders or even directly off of tree bark.
Finally, woodpeckers will also eat human food scraps, such as leftover fruits, vegetables, or nuts. These scraps can be offered in bird feeders or simply left on the ground for the woodpeckers to find.
It is important to note that while woodpeckers are not picky eaters, their dietary habits are primarily driven by the need for protein-rich insects and accessible plant foods. Insects, larvae, and other invertebrates are a critical component of their diet, and they will also forage for plant foods like berries, seeds, and nuts.
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Frequently asked questions
A woodpecker's diet consists of insects, larvae, fruits, nuts, seeds, sap, and even small animals.
Woodpeckers eat a variety of insects, including ants, beetles, termites, spiders, caterpillars, and grubs.
Woodpeckers use their strong bills to drill holes in trees and extract insects with their long, sticky tongues.
Yes, some woodpeckers also eat small animals, birds' eggs, and even human scraps.
The Downy Woodpecker is a regular visitor to bird feeders and enjoys a variety of foods, including suet, seeds, nuts, and peanut butter.
