These birds herald sales of suet and specialty feeders

Gathering acorns, nuts and seeds, the Acorn woodpecker is like the diligent ant in the fable of the Ant and Grasshopper, reminding us that winter is on its way. As the weather chills, it’s time to bring out the tasty suet, black oil sunflower seeds and nuts that bring woodpeckers to feeders.

Competition with squirrels increases at this time, since our bushy-tailed friends relish suet and nuts, too. This is a boon to retailers, as weather and squirrel baffles, metal hangers and metal mesh tube feeders as well as suet cake holders are a must to keep squirrels at bay.

Good merchandising may include a prominent display of a plush toy woodpecker “clinging” to a nut-filled tube feeder with all the bells and whistles, and a photographic display of local woodpeckers.

Whether it’s a Downy dangling from the feeder, the outrageously raucous calls of the Acorn or the dramatic drumming of the Pileated, all woodpeckers are fun to watch. However, sometimes woodpeckers can be annoying as well as interesting. Hammering to forage and territorial drumming can be destructive to siding. To control woodpeckers, offer your customers reflective tape or predator-eyed swinging mobiles to be placed on or near where problem woodpeckers are drumming.

There are about 20 species of woodpeckers in North America, with the Downy, Hairy and Flickers being the most widespread.

Many of these can be found in just about any suburban environment. Lead a birdwalk to help your customers find the species in your area. By eating wood-boring insects, woodpeckers greatly benefit the environment and keep forests healthy.