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How to Build a Big Red-Headed Woodpecker Feeder

The red-headed woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), found throughout the Midwestern and Eastern U. S., is easily identifiable with its bright red head and face and black-and-white body plumage. These omnivorous birds eat insects off the sides of trees as well as spiders, eggs, mice, seeds, acorns and berries. To attract the red-headed woodpecker to your backyard with a feeder, you'll need to mimic their eating habits and foods.

Things You'll Need

Wood
Saw
Drill
Drill bits
Nail
Hammer
Mealworms
Crickets

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a piece of wood into a rectangular shape 12 inches long by 5 inches in width and 1 inch thick. You can use most any wood that has texture for the woodpecker to hang on to. "Projects for the Birder's Garden" recommended using a cedar shingle, which you would not need to cut.
- 2
  Drill several small holes, about 10 to 20, using a drill with a 1/4- to 1/2-inch drill bit, into one side of the wood. The holes can be scattered and of various sizes. They do not need to be in any specific placement.
- 3
  Attach the feeder to the side of a tree, fence or other vertical post with a nail. Hang the feeder about 6 to 7 feet off of the ground. Red-headed woodpeckers feed mostly on the sides of trees, so you want the feeder to be placed where these birds naturally feed.
- 4
  Fill the feeder by placing frozen mealworms or crickets purchased from the pet store into the holes you drilled. You can also place seeds, pieces of fruit and acorns into the holes.

Animals & Science