The average lifespan of a wild woodpecker ranges from 4 to 11 years, depending on the species. Some woodpeckers, like the golden-fronted woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons), have been known to live up to 21 years in captivity. Woodpeckers are generally very hardy birds and can tolerate a range of environmental conditions. This helps them thrive in …
Every spring, some woodpeckers return to the same nest they used the previous year while others, such as downy and hairy woodpeckers, create new nests. Woodpeckers that return each year do so because the trees they nest in provide them with everything they need to raise their young. For example, woodpeckers rely on dead branches …
Do woodpeckers come back to the same place every year? Read More »
Woodpeckers play a vital role in battling destructive insects. Here’s what you can do to keep them from becoming a problem or harming your trees. Woodpeckers both help and hurt trees. They help by consuming harmful insects, including ants, caterpillars and borers that would otherwise injure the tree. But they can also harm trees by …
Woodpeckers drilling holes in trees is a worry for many homeowners, but generally speaking, woodpeckers will not cause enough damage to be considered life-threatening. Unless trunks or limbs are girdled (receiving an injury that cuts into the bark all the way around), healthy trees can withstand the slight damage woodpeckers cause. The main concern with …
The woodpeckers that stay during the colder months are not creating nests now–they’re making roosting cavities. These are small, tight hollows where they’ll shelter at night during fall and winter. Many woodpeckers roost alone in such cavities. Woodpeckers are migratory birds, so they go south for the winter Woodpeckers are one of the many types …
Woodpeckers are quickly frightened by loud noises; banging pots and pans or yelling will likely cause them to flee the area. Noise may not be the only thing that scares woodpeckers, however. Woodpeckers are also scared away by predators such as hawks or snakes. They will typically stay away from these animals and try to …
Woodpeckers typically roost in their own individual cavities at night. Sometimes, they’ll excavate cavities in buildings made of wood or synthetic stucco. However, most of the time they’ll excavate roosting cavities in dead snags in live trees or dead trees. Roosting in a cavity helps to conserve energy on cold winter nights. Woodpeckers are very …
Woodpeckers are both vibrant and spirited, adding life to any yard they occupy. If you’re ever bored, watching these birds forage on trees is a great way to pass the time. In addition to providing top-notch pest control for gardeners by eating grubs, beetles, ants, and other insects. Are woodpeckers friendly to humans? While woodpeckers …
By slamming its beak into tree trunks repeatedly and with great force, one would think that woodpeckers would experience skull fractures, traumatic brain injuries, or at the very least headaches. Surprisingly, they can do this up to 20 times per second without any adverse effects! What do woodpeckers look like and where can you find …
Did you know that by offering food and water, you’re more likely to attract woodpeckers to your garden? The best foods include peanuts, sunflower seeds, and fat or suet balls which can be hung up or placed in a feeder. Additionally, apple cores scattered across the garden will also appeal to woodpeckers as they hope …
