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How to Make Woodpecker Food

Several species of woodpeckers are frequently seen at backyard feeders across the country. Common species such as the downy woodpecker and the red-bellied woodpecker often settle right into suburban areas, making their homes in hollow trees or nest boxes. Being non-migratory, they are year-round feeder visitors, returning to the places where they've found food before. Even woodpeckers such as the impressively large pileated woodpecker that prefer wilder, more wooded places, will sometimes appear where tempting treats are offered. Suet is a big attraction to woodpeckers and other insect-eating birds, and with peanut and cracked corn mixed in, you have a recipe irresistible to woodpeckers.

Things You'll Need

Suet, beef trimmings, or melted grease
Unsalted peanuts
Cracked or whole-kernel corn
Mesh bag
Twine

Instructions

Nutty Suet Bags
- 1
  At the meat counter in your grocery store or butcher's shop, ask for any fat trimmings or pure suet. Finely chop or grind the fat or suet. You can also use bacon grease or beef drippings you've saved and let solidify. Once hard, finely chop the fat, after first cutting away the bottom layer if it contains food particles.
- 2
  Depending on the amount of chopped fat or suet you're using, chop enough peanuts to liberally stud the fat. You can also leave the peanuts whole. Put the chopped peanuts in a bowl and add a handful of dried cracked corn, or whole-kernel corn.
- 3
  Add the chopped suet or fat to the bowl with the peanuts and corn. With dampened hands, mix all the ingredients together and form a rough ball. Squeeze the ball gently so it holds together.
- 4
  Use an empty mesh bag that held onions or oranges, and fill it with a baseball-sized or larger ball of the suet mix. Tie the top closed, and hang it from a branch, nail, or hook with a piece of strong twine.

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