Woodpecker Identification
What Do Woodpeckers Look Like?
Woodpeckers are medium-sized birds characterized by their slender bodies, short legs, and strong, chisel-shaped beaks designed for drilling into wood. Their feathers feature striking black and white patterns, with variations in color depending on the species. Many species also display prominent red crests on their heads, typically found on males.
Woodpeckers also have stiff tail feathers that act as a brace, helping them maintain balance while climbing or pecking on vertical surfaces like tree trunks.
Signs of a Woodpecker Infestation
Signs of a woodpecker infestation include visible damage to trees or wooden structures, such as evenly spaced rows of holes, or irregular areas where the birds have pecked. You may also notice wood chips or bits of bark collecting at the base of trees or near affected areas, left behind as the birds search for insects.
Additionally, the rhythmic drumming sound produced by male woodpeckers, used to mark territory or attract mates, is a blatant sign of their activity.
Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle & Impact
Where Do Woodpeckers Live?
Woodpeckers thrive in forests, residential yards, and other areas where plenty of trees are around. During the night, they seek out roosting cavities, often using abandoned holes, or ones they’ve carved out specifically for shelter. At the start of breeding season, typically in late April and May, they excavate fresh nesting cavities. When selecting nesting sites, woodpeckers can be quite particular, and wooden houses or buildings in suburban and rural settings are their favorite places to drill.
Diet of a Woodpecker
Woodpeckers feed on a diverse range of foods, with insects, larvae, and other small invertebrates making up a large portion of their diet. They drill into trees using their sturdy beaks to uncover beetles, ants, caterpillars, and similar prey. In addition to insects, they also eat fruits, nuts, seeds, and sometimes sip on tree sap. Their specialized beaks and elongated tongues allow them to skillfully reach deep into wood crevices, where they extract food.
Life Cycle of a Woodpecker
A woodpecker’s life cycle usually starts in early spring, indicated by males drumming on hollow surfaces to court potential mates. Once they’ve found one, the female chooses a nesting spot, after carving out a cavity in a tree. She lays a clutch of eggs, which both parents take turns incubating for roughly two weeks. After the eggs hatch, the adults continue to care for the chicks until they leave the nest around three to four weeks later.
Impact of Woodpeckers
Woodpecker damage to wooden structures and trees can appear in a variety of ways. You might notice holes drilled into wooden siding, fascia boards, or window frames. In certain areas, woodpecker activity on utility poles can be extensive enough to warrant full pole replacement. Additionally, these birds frequently target insect-infested wood, especially when carpenter bee larvae and pupae are present.
Because woodpeckers are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act as migratory, nongame birds, it’s important to consult licensed bird control professionals if you’re dealing with woodpecker-related issues.
Are Woodpeckers Aggressive?
Woodpeckers typically aren’t aggressive toward humans, but may show territorial behavior toward other birds. This is especially true during breeding season, when they’re defending their nests or competing for mates. Their pecking on wood or man-made structures is usually linked to communication or foraging rather than hostility, though it can be mistaken for aggression in some cases. Overall, woodpeckers tend to be cautious and avoid direct interaction with people.
Woodpecker Prevention Tips
To help deter woodpecker activity, try a combination of preventive measures. Start by removing dead trees or decaying branches, which can harbor insects that attract woodpeckers. Protect wooden surfaces on your property by installing netting, mesh, or reflective materials over areas prone to pecking or drumming.
You can also place bird feeders or nesting boxes at a distance from structures to draw their focus elsewhere. Additionally, addressing insect infestations quickly will reduce one of their main food sources.
For more tailored solutions, contact Action Pest Control for assistance with bird management.
