Best Bird Seed for Woodpeckers (Suet, Nuts & More)

Why Woodpeckers Have Specific Dietary Needs

If you’ve been trying to attract woodpeckers to your yard, you’ve probably noticed they don’t crowd the same feeders as sparrows and finches. That’s because woodpeckers are built differently — literally. Their strong, chisel-like beaks are designed to drill into bark for grubs and insects, which means their ideal diet leans heavily on high-fat, protein-rich foods. Knowing the best bird seed for woodpeckers is the first step to turning your backyard into a woodpecker destination.

In the US, the most common backyard woodpeckers include the Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and the striking Pileated Woodpecker. Each has slightly different preferences, but they all share a love of suet, peanuts, and nuts. Get the right food in the right feeder and you’ll be rewarded with daily woodpecker visits year-round.

Best Bird Seed for Woodpeckers: Top Picks

1. Suet — The #1 Woodpecker Food

Suet is rendered animal fat, typically beef fat mixed with seeds, berries, or insects. It is by far the most effective food for attracting woodpeckers. It mimics the calorie-dense grubs and insects woodpeckers naturally forage for and provides the energy they need — especially critical in winter when insects are scarce.

Best suet varieties for woodpeckers:

• Plain beef suet cakes — simple, effective, and affordable
• Peanut butter suet — a woodpecker favorite; the peanut scent draws them in fast
• Insect suet — mimics their natural diet most closely
• Berry suet — appeals to Red-bellied Woodpeckers and flickers

For a budget-friendly suet feeder that works beautifully, the More Birds Double Suet Cake Feeder with Weather Guard ($14.39) holds two suet cakes and includes a weather shield to keep suet fresh longer — a smart feature that stretches your dollar.

2. Peanuts and Shelled Nuts

After suet, peanuts are the most reliable food for attracting woodpeckers. Both shelled peanuts (peanut hearts) and whole in-shell peanuts work well. Shelled peanuts are easier for smaller woodpeckers like the Downy, while larger species like the Hairy or Pileated Woodpecker will tackle whole peanuts enthusiastically.

Tips for offering peanuts:

• Use a mesh peanut feeder or a hopper-style feeder with a capacity for mixed seeds and peanuts
• Avoid salted peanuts — sodium is harmful to birds
• Refresh peanuts regularly to prevent mold, especially in humid weather

3. Black Oil Sunflower Seeds

Black oil sunflower seeds are the universal bird food — and woodpeckers eat them too, particularly larger species. The thin shell makes it easy to crack open, and the high oil content delivers good energy. While sunflower seeds aren’t as irresistible to woodpeckers as suet or peanuts, they’re a great supplemental offering in a mixed feeder.

4. Safflower Seeds

Safflower is a slightly bitter seed that many nuisance birds (like starlings and grackles) avoid — but woodpeckers don’t mind it at all. If you’re dealing with aggressive feeder competition, adding safflower can help reduce crowding while keeping woodpeckers happy.

5. Mealworms (Dried or Live)

Dried mealworms replicate the insect-heavy diet woodpeckers crave in nature. Offered in a small dish feeder or platform tray, mealworms can entice Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers away from tree bark and toward your yard. Live mealworms are even more effective, though they require a bit more setup to maintain.

Best Feeders for Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers need feeders they can grip and cling to — just like they grip bark on a tree. Flat dish feeders don’t work as well. Here’s what to look for:

• Suet cage feeders — the standard choice; wire mesh lets woodpeckers cling naturally while accessing the suet
• Tail-prop suet feeders — extended bottom allows the bird to brace its tail (mimics natural bark-clinging posture); especially good for larger woodpeckers
• Log feeders — drilled logs filled with suet or peanut butter; very natural-looking and effective
• Peanut mesh feeders — cylindrical mesh feeders work well for whole or shelled peanuts

If squirrels are raiding your suet feeder (a common problem!), consider upgrading to the Kingsyard Squirrel Proof Suet Feeder ($28.99) — all-metal construction with a cage design that keeps squirrels out while giving woodpeckers easy access. We have a full breakdown of squirrel-proof bird feeders and whether they actually work if you’re battling this problem.

Where to Place Your Woodpecker Feeder

Feeder placement matters as much as what’s inside the feeder. Woodpeckers are naturally cautious birds — they prefer feeders placed near trees or shrubs where they can retreat quickly if startled. Here are placement tips that work:

• Near tree trunks or large branches — woodpeckers feel comfortable close to their natural environment
• 10–15 feet from cover — close enough to escape to safety, but open enough for you to enjoy the view
• 5–6 feet off the ground — suet feeders at mid-height work well; too low and ground predators become a concern
• Away from busy pathways — woodpeckers will avoid feeders with lots of foot traffic near them

For a complete setup guide, check out How to Set Up a Bird Feeding Station for Beginners — it walks you through station design, feeder height, and positioning in detail.

Seasonal Feeding Tips for Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers visit feeders year-round, but their needs shift with the seasons:

• Winter — Suet is essential; cold temperatures mean woodpeckers need more calories to stay warm. Keep suet feeders full daily.
• Spring/Summer — Woodpeckers often have nesting chicks to feed; protein-rich foods like mealworms and peanuts are especially valuable.
• Fall — A great time to establish feeding stations before winter, when woodpeckers are scouting for reliable food sources.

Note on summer suet: Regular beef suet can melt in heat above 90°F. In summer, look for “no-melt” suet formulas specifically designed for warm weather — they hold their shape and won’t turn rancid as quickly.

🔧 Free Tool: Find the Best Seed for Your Backyard Woodpeckers

Not sure which combination of suet, peanuts, and seed is right for the woodpecker species in your area? Our free Bird Seed Finder Tool gives you a personalized recommendation based on which birds you want to attract and your local conditions. It takes less than a minute.

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Top Woodpecker Feeder Recommendations

Here are our top picks to get your woodpecker feeding station set up:

• More Birds Double Suet Cake Feeder with Weather Guard — $14.39 | Best budget pick; weather shield keeps suet fresh
• Bird Feeder with Double Suet Holders + Seed Compartment — $24.99 | Combo feeder for suet and mixed seed; great all-in-one option
• Kingsyard Squirrel Proof Suet Feeder — $28.99 | All-metal, squirrel-resistant cage; best for yards with persistent squirrel problems
• Kingsyard 85-Inch Bird Feeding Station Kit — $27.99 | Sturdy 5-prong pole system to hang multiple feeders — suet, peanut, and seed in one spot

If you’re also trying to attract other seed-eating birds alongside your woodpeckers, check out our guide to Best Bird Seed for Goldfinches — a great companion read for setting up a multi-species feeding station.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best bird seed for woodpeckers?

Suet is the single best food for attracting woodpeckers, followed closely by shelled or whole peanuts. Woodpeckers are high-energy birds that need calorie-dense foods — suet and peanuts mimic the fat-rich grubs and insects they naturally eat. Peanut butter suet is especially effective at drawing woodpeckers in quickly. Black oil sunflower seeds make a good supplemental option but shouldn’t be the primary offering.

Do woodpeckers eat sunflower seeds?

Yes, woodpeckers will eat black oil sunflower seeds, especially larger species like the Hairy and Red-bellied Woodpecker. However, sunflower seeds are not their top preference. If you want to specifically target woodpeckers, prioritize suet and peanuts over sunflower seeds — you’ll see a noticeable difference in how often they visit.

How do I keep squirrels away from my suet feeder?

Squirrels love suet just as much as woodpeckers do. The most effective solutions are: (1) using a cage-style squirrel-proof suet feeder that blocks squirrel access, (2) adding a squirrel baffle to your feeder pole, or (3) placing the feeder at least 10 feet horizontally from any jumping surface. Hot pepper suet is also a popular option — birds can’t taste capsaicin, but squirrels dislike it strongly.

Will suet melt in summer heat?

Standard rendered suet can melt and turn rancid in temperatures above 90°F. During summer months, switch to “no-melt” suet dough formulas, which are specifically manufactured to hold up in warm weather. These are widely available at wild bird stores and Amazon. Also consider placing your suet feeder in a shaded spot during peak summer heat to extend its freshness.

What woodpeckers are common in backyard feeders?

The most common backyard woodpeckers across the US are the Downy Woodpecker (smallest; found coast to coast), Hairy Woodpecker (larger look-alike of the Downy), Red-bellied Woodpecker (common in the East), and Northern Flicker (ground-feeding woodpecker common nationwide). In the West, Acorn Woodpeckers and Nuttall’s Woodpeckers are frequent feeder visitors. The impressive Pileated Woodpecker, while less common, will occasionally visit large suet feeders in wooded yards.