Friendly Downy Woodpeckers Visit My Backyard

This fall noisy visitors showed up at my feeder and made my backyard a little wilder — Downy woodpeckers They are small, bold, and surprisingly photogenic. After making a few holes in the siding of my house (more on that later), I decided to be kind and put out food. They started coming regularly and I was able to capture some great photos.

How to identify

– Size: about 6–7 inches long, the smallest North American woodpecker.

– Color: black-and-white plumage with a white back and black wings dotted with white spots.

– Female ID: no red patch on the back of the head (males have a small red nape patch).

– Bill: short and stubby compared with larger woodpeckers like the Hairy woodpecker — a helpful ID clue.

Why they were making holes

Woodpeckers drill for three main reasons:

– Foraging: probing for insects under bark or behind siding.

– Drumming: communicating territory or attracting mates.

– Nesting: excavating cavities for eggs and young (usually in late spring).

Because Downy woodpeckers are so small, they sometimes peck at soft wood, trim boards, or loose siding if they detect

insects or a potential nest cavity.

Feeding — what worked

I put out a couple of simple things and within days she was a regular:

– Suet cakes (a favorite for woodpeckers, especially in colder months).

– Black oil sunflower seed in a platform or tray feeder.

– A stable perching spot near a tree or post so she could watch for predators.

Tips for photographing backyard birds

– Place the feeder near a shrub or tree for quick escape routes — birds feel safer and come more often.

– Use a zoom lens or a discreet hide so you can get close without disturbing the bird.

– Shoot in morning light for the best color and clarity; burst mode helps capture action.

– Try different angles — close-up head shots and wider feeding scenes make a nice gallery.

Dealing with holes in your house

I wanted to be kind to the woodpecker, but I also needed to protect my siding. Here’s a safe, practical approach:

– First, check whether the hole is an active nest (listen for chirping, watch from a distance). If it is, federal law (Migratory Bird Treaty Act) may protect nesting birds — don’t seal or block access while birds are nesting.

– If it’s not a nest, repair the damaged area: fill holes with wood filler or epoxy, replace rotted wood, and repaint or cover with durable flashing.

– To prevent further pecking, consider temporary measures such as stiff plastic or metal flashing over the area, or bird netting placed a few inches out from the siding (so birds can’t reach the wood).

– Avoid harmful or lethal measures; exclusion and habitat modification are humane and effective long-term solutions.

Final thoughts

Watching a Downy woodpecker up close has been a small daily joy — and a reminder that suburban wildlife can be bold and beautiful. I’m glad I could help feed her safely while taking care of my home. If you have a woodpecker visiting your house, you can enjoy the show while taking a few commonsense steps to protect your siding.