Woodpeckers are designed tree specialists

By: Steve Roark
Volunteer: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Beautiful spring mornings are often accented with the distant sound of woodpecker drumming. During this time of year, the males use drumming on trees and even metal roofs to announce their territory and attract a mate.
Everyone is familiar with woodpeckers and their unique feeding habits. Most of the birds in our area are black and white, with some red somewhere on the head, especially the males. They are primarily insect eaters, and they seek them on the surfaces of trees, especially dead and dying ones that are infested with insects.
Woodpeckers have several body design features that allow them to do this effectively. Their feet have two claws forward and two back to allow them to cling to bark. Their tails are stiff and used to prop the upper body against the tree for feeding. Their beaks are usually long and very sharp to allow them to probe under bark and in crevices for insects. Woodpeckers also have long narrow tongues with sticky saliva and small barbs on the end to allow them to snatch insects out of holes and openings.
When feeding, woodpeckers seldom drum or make a lot of noise. Usually all you will hear is light tapping and scratching as they move from place to place feeding. They will make some noise when excavating their nesting holes, usually in standing dead trees that foresters call "snags." The holes usually have round openings and can be seen high in the tree. Other animals and birds use the nesting hole after the woodpecker has abandoned it.
Because they feed so heavily on insects found on trees, they are very beneficial in keeping tree pest populations in check. Many orange orchards in Florida set up nesting boxes to attract certain woodpecker species. It is beneficial to leave standing dead trees in a forest to provide feeding and nesting sites for these marvelous birds.
Woodpeckers are a favorite of many birdwatchers because of their striking coloration and acrobatic feeding and flying habits. They can be attracted to home bird feeders with suet, which is available at garden centers or perhaps your local butcher.