Woodpeckers in love

A Nuttall's woodpecker excavated a nest cavity in a dried Agave plant.

Tis' the season to wake to the rat-tat-tat of busy woodpeckers on the side of the house. It might help to know they do this for the following reasons:

1. To attract a mate and proclaim their territory
2. To find insects for food
3. To excavate a cavity for nesting

 Hanging bird netting across the site is the most effective way to discourage tenacious woodpeckers from hammering on the side of your house.  Other methods include covering the wood or metal surfaces with cloth or foam to reduce the drumming sounds.

Keep them fed by offering suet or peanuts in another area of your yard. And place a woodpecker nesting box over the area of drumming.  They may decide to take the easy nest site over excavating a hole in your siding.  Hanging Mylar strips or plastic owls provide a limited scare factor.  You have to be willing to move them around every day or so to be effective.

Happy birding!
J.J.