Suet draws both Downy Woodpeckers and Northern Flickers reliably, but the two species forage differently: Downy Woodpeckers cling to tree trunks and suet feeders directly, while Northern Flickers spend most of their time on the ground hunting ants. Attracting both means combining a suet feeder with some undisturbed open ground nearby.
Do Downy Woodpeckers and Northern Flickers Eat the Same Way?
Downy Woodpeckers cling to bark and suet feeders using stiff tail feathers as a brace, the same posture used to hammer into wood after insects. Northern Flickers forage mostly on the ground, probing lawns and bare soil for ants with a slightly curved bill, and only come to a suet feeder occasionally, more often in winter when ants aren't available.
What Feeder Design Works Best for Woodpeckers?
A tail-prop feeder gives a woodpecker a surface to brace its tail against while feeding, closer to how it grips a tree trunk than a standard suet cage allows. The Tail Prop Suet Cake Feeder adds a wooden prop below the suet cage for exactly that purpose and holds one standard suet cake.
A log-style feeder works the same way for suet plugs instead of cakes. Suet plugs slide into drilled holes along the Log Jammer Feeder for Suet Plugs, mimicking the texture of a real log more closely than a wire cage does.
What Suet Attracts Woodpeckers Most Reliably?
Peanut suet draws woodpeckers more consistently than plain suet, since peanuts add a concentrated fat and protein source close to what they'd find foraging for insects. Log Jammer Peanut Suet Plugs, made for log-style feeders, combine rendered beef suet, chopped peanuts, peanut butter, cracked corn, and sunflower hearts, and also draw blue jays, chickadees, and nuthatches to the same feeder.
Does Dead Wood Help Attract Woodpeckers?
A dead or dying tree left standing, often called a snag, gives woodpeckers a natural source of wood-boring insects and a possible nesting cavity, which a feeder alone can't replace. Where safety allows a snag to stay standing rather than being removed, it typically draws more woodpecker activity than a feeder on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a nest box help attract Downy Woodpeckers?
Yes. The Handmade Downy Woodpecker Birdhouse is $74.95 CAD, mounts about 15 feet up, and works for winter shelter as well as nesting; wood chips added to the interior base help it feel more like a natural cavity. Northern Flickers need a larger cavity than this box provides, so it's suited to Downy Woodpeckers specifically.
How much does a suet log feeder cost?
About $23 to $37 CAD depending on size and material. The Log Jammer Feeder for Suet Plugs mentioned above is $30.95 CAD.
Is there a minimum order for free shipping?
Yes. Most Canadian orders over $125 ship free, and anything below that is charged shipping at checkout.
What is the return policy on a woodpecker feeder or birdhouse?
45 days. Items can be returned within that window in original condition with original packaging, though a restocking fee may apply if the packaging is damaged or missing.
