Woodpecker Feeding Guide: Best Suet & Feeders in Canada

How to Attract Woodpeckers (Quick Guide)

Quick answer: To attract woodpeckers, offer suet cakes, black oil sunflower seed, or unsalted peanuts in a sturdy feeder mounted 5–8 ft high near trees or trunks. 

In Canada, suet is one of the most reliable ways to bring woodpeckers in—especially in fall and winter.

Woodpeckers prefer solid footing, vertical feeding positions, and high-energy food they can access repeatedly.

Woodpeckers are strong, persistent birds recognized by their drumming and climbing behaviour. When food is reliable and placed near trees, they often become consistent, long-term feeder visitors — especially in fall and winter.

Below is a practical guide to what woodpeckers eat, the feeders suited to woodpeckers in Canada, and how to place feeders so visits become predictable.

What Do Woodpeckers Eat?

Woodpeckers focus on high-energy foods they can cling to while feeding. Their preferences stay fairly consistent year-round.

Tip: Woodpeckers learn feeding locations quickly. Keeping the same food in the same spot encourages repeat visits.

Recommended Feeders for Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers are natural clingers. Feeders that feel solid and allow vertical feeding work best.

  • Suet cage feeders mounted on a post or near a trunk
  • Peanut feeders with wire, mesh, or coil designs for grip
  • Tube feeders placed close to trees for confident landing

Suet feeder option:

Feeder option with squirrel protection: a protected peanut feeder that maintains access to high-energy food when squirrels are active.

Tip: Avoid lightweight feeders that swing — instability is the most common reason woodpeckers abandon a setup.

Suet for Woodpeckers in Winter

In Canada, suet becomes the most reliable woodpecker food from December through March, when natural insects are scarce.

Woodpeckers often visit suet early in the morning, especially after cold nights.

When Are Woodpeckers Most Active?

Woodpeckers are most active in the early morning and again in the late afternoon. Morning visits are especially common in winter when they need fast energy after cold nights.

Where to Place Feeders for Woodpeckers
  • Mount feeders 5–8 feet off the ground
  • Place within sight of trees or trunks for escape cover
  • Use stable hooks, poles, or mounts to reduce swinging
  • Keep the location quiet and consistent

Bottom line: woodpeckers return most consistently when feeders feel solid, safe, and predictable.

Why Woodpeckers Tap and Drum

Woodpeckers communicate by tapping and drumming. This behaviour helps them mark territory, attract mates, and locate insects beneath bark.

Their skull structure protects their brain from impact, allowing them to peck repeatedly without injury.

Do Woodpeckers Stay in Canada All Winter?

Many common woodpecker species in Canada remain year-round. Reliable food sources like suet and peanuts make winter survival easier and increase repeat visits.

Male vs Female Woodpeckers

In many species, males and females differ slightly in head markings. Both sexes feed the same way and use the same feeder types.

Shop the Woodpecker Basics

Simple, reliable setup:

This setup supports year-round visits, with peak woodpecker activity in colder months.