The downy woodpecker is a small bird that is common across much of North America. They are year-round residents in many parts of their range, but some northern populations migrate south for the winter. Downy woodpeckers make their home in deciduous forests, especially those with older trees that provide nesting cavities. These cavity nesters will also readily nest in backyard birdhouses. If you’d like to attract downy woodpeckers to your yard, providing an appropriate birdhouse for them is key. But what kind of birdhouse does a downy woodpecker need?
What Are the Dimensions of a Downy Woodpecker Birdhouse?
A downy woodpecker is a small bird, measuring between 5 to 7 inches in length with a wingspan around 11 inches. When building or buying a birdhouse for downy woodpeckers, the interior cavity needs to be small enough for these petite birds. The recommended interior height and width for a downy woodpecker birdhouse is between 4 to 6 inches. The depth of the cavity should be 6 to 10 inches deep. This gives the downy woodpecker enough room to move around and feed its young.
The entry hole is another important dimension for attracting downy woodpeckers. The entry hole should be 1 1/8 inches to 1 1/4 inches in diameter. This is large enough for the downy woodpecker to fit through but small enough to deter larger birds like starlings. Avoid perches at the entry hole, as they can allow predators to access the nest.
Here is a table summarizing the recommended interior dimensions for a downy woodpecker birdhouse:
Interior Feature | Recommended Dimensions |
---|---|
Interior height and width | 4 to 6 inches |
Interior depth | 6 to 10 inches |
Entry hole diameter | 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 inches |
Following these interior dimension guidelines will help attract downy woodpeckers while discouraging larger, more aggressive birds.
Where Should I Place a Downy Woodpecker Birdhouse?
Proper placement of your downy woodpecker birdhouse is also important. Here are some tips on where to install a birdhouse for downy woodpeckers:
– Mount the box 4 to 20 feet high on a tree trunk. Downy woodpeckers feed on tree trunks but prefer to nest above the ground.
– Choose a tree in a quiet spot away from busy areas. Downy woodpeckers are shy birds that scare easily.
– Face the entrance hole away from prevailing winds and direct sun to keep the interior cool and dry.
– Attach the birdhouse firmly to the tree using screws or nails so it won’t blow down in storms.
– Add predator guards like a metal collar around the tree to prevent snakes, squirrels and raccoons from raiding the nest.
Selecting a proper location on your property for your downy woodpecker abode will encourage use by these small cavity nesters.
What Type of Birdhouse is Best for Downy Woodpeckers?
The materials you construct or purchase the birdhouse from can also make a difference in attracting downy woodpeckers. Here are some tips:
– Use untreated natural wood like cedar, pine or fir. Stain or paint the exterior if desired.
– The interior should have a rough, unpainted surface so the downy woodpeckers can grip while climbing inside.
– Use a wood shingle or metal roof overhang to protect the entry hole from rain.
– Include ventilation holes near the top of the birdhouse sides to prevent moisture buildup.
– Attach the front of the box with screws to allow easy annual cleaning. Avoid perches or ridges that predators could grip.
– Nest boxes made of pine, plywood, plastic or PVC are all suitable materials.
– Include sawtooth-style wood shavings or install hardware cloth inside for the downy woodpeckers to excavate.
Selecting the proper birdhouse design and using appropriate natural materials will help create an attractive nesting spot in your yard for downy woodpeckers.
When’s the Best Time to Put Up a Downy Woodpecker Birdhouse?
Downy woodpeckers in most regions begin searching for suitable nesting cavities in March and April. The timing coincides with when sap starts rising in birch and maple trees, providing an important food source for the downy woodpecker pair. To attract downy woodpeckers for the breeding season, plan to have your birdhouse installed by late February or early March.
In southern parts of their range, downy woodpeckers may start nesting as early as mid-February. In more northern climates with harsh winters, put up the birdhouse in early March before migrant downy woodpeckers return. Having the nest box up a month prior to breeding season will increase your chances of attracting a pair scouting for a home.
Make sure to clean out old nest material each winter since downy woodpeckers will not use a dirty box. Then your birdhouse will be ready and waiting for the next breeding season when the downy woodpeckers come calling. With proper placement and timing, you’ll stand a good chance of tempting a downy woodpecker pair to raise their next brood of fuzzy-headed nestlings in your backyard nest box.
What Kind of Nesting Material Should I Put in a Downy Woodpecker House?
Downy woodpeckers don’t carry in nest materials like grass and twigs to furnish their cavity nest. However, they do need something inside the birdhouse that they can excavate. Installing a wooden nest box with a layer of sawdust, wood shavings or hardware cloth will encourage the downy woodpeckers to dig it out to custom-fit the interior to their liking.
Here are some options for interior cavity material for a downy woodpecker nest box:
– Bore 1/4-inch diameter holes inside the box and fill the holes with loosely packed sawdust. The female downy will then excavate the holes.
– Glue a hardware cloth cage securely to the inside of the rear wall filled with a wood shaving and sawdust mixture. Make sure there are no sharp points sticking inward.
– Cover the interior floor with a two-inch layer of coarse wood shavings. The birds will toss out what they don’t need.
– Hang small wood blocks on short strings or chains inside for the downy woodpeckers to chip away at.
– Add a thin layer of pine needles, crushed corncobs or wood pellets that can be excavated.
Providing a starter material that the downy woodpeckers can dig out or excavate will appeal to their natural instinct to customize the nest cavity. Just don’t make it too hard or packed down. The downy woodpeckers should be able to excavate and toss out excess material with ease.
How Can I Attract Downy Woodpeckers to Use the Birdhouse?
Downy woodpeckers are naturally attracted to nesting in tree cavities. But you can make your birdhouse even more irresistible with these extra touches to invite downy woodpeckers in:
– Coat the interior with fine sawdust or wood shavings for an authentic feel.
– Before mounting, rough up the entrance hole with a key or knife to simulate natural wear.
– Add bark edging around the entry hole to blend in with the tree.
– Funnel rainwater away from the opening using a shingle overhang.
– Caulk any gaps and make sure the box is firmly secured to the tree before the start of breeding season.
– Consider adding a predator guard to give the birds added peace of mind.
– Install in a quiet spot near woods or shrubs where the shy birds feel safe and secluded.
– Choose a tree where you’ve seen downy woodpeckers foraging to increase appeal.
– Avoid cleaning out the box during breeding season once the downy woodpeckers have laid eggs.
Making your birdhouse indistinguishable from a natural tree cavity in both appearance and interior customization will help convince downy woodpeckers that your box is an ideal nesting location.
Conclusion
Downy woodpeckers prefer birdhouses that resemble the small cavities they carve out in tree trunks and branches. Follow the recommendations for interior dimensions to accommodate these tiny cavity nesters. Choose a quiet location away from disturbance and predators. Install the nest box at the right height on a suitable tree before breeding season starts. Use natural wood and include an excavatable interior so the downy woodpeckers can customize their home. With a properly designed and placed downy woodpecker birdhouse, you’ll stand a good chance of attracting a breeding pair to nest in your backyard. Watching these busy birds carry food to their chicks and then witnessing the young ones peek out of the hole will provide you with a rewarding and fascinating nature experience.