In my post from yesterday I mentioned a woodpecker feeder. A friend told me about this feeder and it’s pretty simple and ingenious –
1. Take an old log, I used a downed cedar from my woods – drill 1 1/4″ holes about an inch deep around the surface. I specifically drilled the holes on a side that would face the spot where I shoot photos.
2. Attach it to something that will let it stand vertical like a tree – a fence post will do, I attached mine to the large cedar that holds up my pergola.
3. Fill the holes with suet. I also filled the cracks in the log.
My friend says it’s like a social program where you are giving a handout and making the little buggers work for it.
Here’s one of my feeders – nice and rustic…
Tonight Woody stopped by – first he landed on the top of the pergola .
He takes a look around to make sure the coast is clear – today he must have been really hungry because my Goldendoodle was sitting about 6 feet away from the feeder watching him.
He lands and takes another look around…
Scopes out the situation…
And digs into that suet.
He stays vigilant…
And digs into the suet again.
See the look of satisfaction on his face?
He looks like he could use a napkin.
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Great idea and photos. The social program comment was funny.
Thanks – I’m not opposed to handouts for woodpeckers and I like the satisfaction he seems to get for working for his suet:)
I have a suet feeder hanging from the eaves of my house. It dangles close enough to my window that the birds sling suet on the glass – that’s the downside. The upside is close-up bird viewing. I wasn’t sure they’d be bold enough to come that close when I first hung it, but they did; titmice, chickadees, flickers, several varieties of woodpecker. I’ve had a lot of trouble with squirrels and raccoons stealing from other suet feeders, but not this one.
Your feeder, and photos are gorgeous, but are your squirrels getting fat?
I have no squirrel issues because I have Jack Russell Terriers. They are on a radio fence and keep the yard squirrel free. I have a wood show outside the radio fence, squirrels are the bane of my existence there – arrrrgh.
The terriers love suet though, they stalk the ground below the feeders.
Spectacular!!! Our woodpeckers are nowhere near that colorful, although I’ve never seen one so close up. Congrats on such great photos!! Very impressive!
Thanks – I have been snapping birds since last spring in an effort to improve my capture technique. Of course having a porch full of feeders helps:)
I’m not sure it would help me! 😉
LOL
Great colorful shots! And your feeder is awesome. Good for you! 😉
Thank you – I really love seeing this guy close to the house.
I must say I am jealous! So I’ll just enjoy your critters!
I’m afraid they have become pets – I’m getting someone to come by and check on them while I go one a business trip:)
love it…..you have a great heart ♥
Great idea and – again – amazing how you managed to get these wonderful pics!
A similar woodpecker is coming to my garden every winter season when I’m starting to offer bird fat balls. They’re destined for tomtits but he doesn’t care. He’s much too heavy and ponderous for it and hanging among the meshes he’s always drawing down the whole small limb, dangling, swinging, headfirst. Rather dangerous 😉
To save his life I should rebuild your type of feeder …
It’s really simple and it also only really works for birds who walk on tree trunks and large branches – so the smaller birds won’t be able to use the log feeder. I have seen this fellow try to use my other feeders and it’s a little scary to see how he nearly falls off of them because of his size.
I have a female that comes to my bird feeder. This is a great idea! I will have to do it. I love the pics!
Thanks – this is so simple. I have had it up for about a week. One note – I learned that dogs love suet – they ate it out of all the lower holes:)
my dogs too little so he wouldn’t be able to get to it. But duly noted 🙂
I like that look of satisfaction! Awesome pictures, what a pretty bird.
Thanks – I really like this guy. I had a pair of pileateds lurking but not quite ready to try the feeder out.
That is awesome!
Thanks!
Fab photos.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woodpecker, I’m not sure we have them here. Do they all have such brilliant markings, or is it just the males showing off? 😉
Thanks! This is a male – but the female is very similar – a bit less red on the head. A lot of woodpeckers have read on their heads and checkered looking backs. I have at least three types here at the house.