Woodpeckers are resilient birds that can be found year-round in many parts of North America. However, some species do migrate or relocate for the winter months. Here is a look at what happens to woodpeckers when cold weather arrives.
Do all woodpeckers migrate for winter?
No, not all woodpecker species migrate for the winter. Some of the most common backyard woodpeckers like Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, and Northern Flickers are permanent residents who tough out cold temperatures as long as they have access to food.
However, there are some woodpecker species that do migrate including:
- Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers
- Red-headed Woodpeckers
- Lewis’s Woodpeckers
- Red-cockaded Woodpeckers
These migratory woodpeckers will travel south to warmer climates for the winter before returning to their breeding grounds in spring. The distance they travel can range from a few hundred miles to a few thousand miles depending on the species.
Why do some woodpeckers migrate while others stay put?
There are a few key factors that determine whether a woodpecker species is migratory or a year-round resident:
- Food availability – Woodpeckers that rely on insects or tree sap for food may struggle to find adequate nutrition in harsh winter climates. Migrating allows them to follow the food supply.
- Climate adaptation – Some species have evolved adaptations like thick plumage or the ability to cache food that allow them to withstand freezing temperatures better than others.
- Nesting habits – Cavity-roosting woodpeckers that nest in tree holes have an advantage over species that excavate nests in softer deadwood that may not withstand winter weather as well.
Non-migratory woodpeckers like Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers have adapted to hang tough in their breeding grounds year-round, even when prey is scarce in winter.
What do resident woodpeckers do in winter?
For woodpeckers that stick around for winter, the challenge is finding enough food to survive the lean months. Here are some of the main winter survival strategies for non-migratory woodpeckers:
- Expand home range – Woodpeckers will roam farther from their central nesting area to seek out additional food sources.
- Rely on food caches – Storing extra food like acorns and nuts in tree crevices gives woodpeckers emergency winter reserves.
- Increase time spent foraging – Woodpeckers spend more time searching for any food they can find, including at bird feeders.
- Eat seeds and nuts – In addition to insects and sap, woodpeckers supplement their diet with other sources of nutrition.
Having access to suet feeders stocked with high-fat treats can be a lifesaver for overwintering woodpeckers. Providing food during cold snaps when prey is extremely scarce aids their survival.
Do woodpeckers relocate for winter?
While some woodpecker species migrate long distances, others may move only shorter distances to find better habitat for riding out winter weather. Some examples of winter relocations include:
- Downy Woodpeckers – May move from mountain forests down to lower elevations where temperatures are milder.
- Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers – Those that breed in northern areas head south for winter while southern breeders move to lower elevations.
- Hairy Woodpeckers – Northern populations shift southward to some degree while still remaining in their general breeding range.
- Red-headed Woodpeckers – Completely vacates northern portions of its breeding range to overwinter farther south.
By moving even 50 or 100 miles, woodpeckers can gain access to much more favorable food supplies and shelter compared to staying put. Their nomadic nature gives them flexibility to find the best winter habitats.
What impacts woodpecker winter behavior?
Woodpecker winter behavior is influenced by a combination of environmental factors including:
- Temperature – Sustained cold snaps increase calories needed for thermoregulation and can reduce insect prey activity.
- Snow cover – Deep snow makes it harder to forage on the ground and in crevices for food.
- Food availability – Lack of insects, nuts and seeds force woodpeckers to be mobile and search wider areas.
- Weather events – Ice storms, wind, rain and other conditions can impact winter survival.
- Habitat – Woodpeckers need suitable areas for roosting and finding food in winter months.
Tracking winter conditions gives clues about changes in behavior. For instance, irruptions where unusual numbers of certain species appear well outside their normal range often coincide with dips in food production in their typical habitat.
Do woodpeckers hide in tree holes in winter?
Cavities offer woodpeckers a reprieve from harsh winter conditions. During extreme cold and stormy weather, woodpeckers will hunker down inside a tree hole to conserve energy and stay protected.
Some signs a tree hole is being used as a winter shelter by woodpeckers include:
- Seeing a woodpecker emerge from or enter a cavity frequently, especially during snow, rain, and cold snaps.
- Fresh, small woodpecker entry holes made near the bottom of a tree trunk.
- Woodpecker tracks or signs of foraging leading to and from the roost tree.
- Cavities stuffed with leaves, twigs or other insulating material.
In addition to overnight stays, woodpeckers may hunker down in a cavity for longer periods during extreme cold to lower body heat loss and wait out frigid conditions before venturing out to search for food again.
Do all woodpeckers use tree holes for winter shelter?
The majority of woodpecker species do rely heavily on roosting in tree cavities at night and during winter. However, there are some exceptions including:
- Northern Flicker – Often roosts in protected spots on tree trunks rather than cavities.
- Pileated Woodpecker – May utilize old cavities but also wedges onto ledges under overhanging branches.
- Lewis’s Woodpecker – Roosts in crevices but also clings to sides of large tree trunks.
So while most woodpeckers are cavity roosters, a few species exhibit some flexibility in picking winter shelter spots, even roosting out in the open on occasion.
How do woodpeckers stay warm in tree holes?
Woodpeckers have some effective methods for keeping warm as they roost in tree holes during brutal winter nights:
- Trapping body heat – Their small opening helps retain heat inside the cavity.
- Fluffing feathers – Fluffing out their plumage creates insulating air pockets.
- Shivering – Shivering warms muscles and generates heat.
- Using insulating cavities – Some excavate thicker walls lined with rot-resistant wood.
- Roosting together – Huddling together with mates or a group shares warmth.
Even on the most frigid nights, woodpeckers can maintain their body temperature high enough to survive by using these adaptations.
Do woodpeckers stay in one area or roam in winter?
Woodpeckers may utilize a combination of staying put and roaming wider in winter depending on food availability:
- Remaining in home range – Woodpeckers try to stick close to known food source areas when possible.
- Nomadic searching – During lean times, woodpeckers wander farther looking for food.
- Visiting feeders – Backyard bird feeders may attract woodpeckers outside their normal range.
- Returning to roosts – They retreat to familiar cavity roosts at night after wide-ranging forays.
Tracking woodpecker movements throughout winter gives insight into how challenging they are finding it to locate adequate nutrition day to day.
How do you attract woodpeckers in winter?
Here are some tips for making your yard more attractive to woodpeckers in winter:
- Install suet feeders loaded with nutritious suet cakes or chunks high in fat and protein.
- Offer black oil sunflower seeds which woodpeckers relish.
- Provide live mealworms in special dish feeders for exciting movement.
- Put up hanging feeders with peanut pieces and mixed nuts near trees.
- Mount feeders on tall poles or hang from cables to deter squirrels.
- Situate feeders within about 10 feet of trees so woodpeckers can dart back for shelter.
- Leave dead trees and snags which provide roosting and nesting spots.
Having a reliable supplemental food source can be what keeps resident woodpeckers alive during extreme cold when insects and sap are scarce.
How do woodpeckers survive winter nights?
Woodpeckers have adaptations and strategies that help them make it through frigid winter nights, including:
- Roosting deep inside insulated tree cavities to avoid wind.
- Sealing cavity openings with leaves, wood, moss or cones to trap heat.
- Fluffing out feathers for maximum insulation.
- Huddling together for shared warmth.
- Taking brief sunset feeding to fuel up for overnight fasts.
- Lowering body temperature and entering torpor to conserve energy.
- Flexing muscles to generate internal heat if needed.
Foraging diligently during short daylight hours to pack on fat reserves also helps woodpeckers get through the long, cold nights ahead.
Do woodpeckers lose weight in winter?
Woodpeckers do face potential seasonal weight loss and fat depletion over winter in northern climates. Challenges include:
- Burning more calories to stay warm.
- Limited foraging time during short days.
- Decreased insect and sap availability.
- Fasting overnight in cavities.
- Increased energy expenditure if forced to wander farther for food.
However, woodpeckers have some safeguards in place to minimize winter weight loss like resident status, food caching, diet flexibility, and roosting behavior. Still, extended severe winters may result in lower weights until food supplies improve.
Do woodpeckers have enough food in winter?
Winter food scarcity poses a survival risk for woodpeckers that do not migrate. Some challenges they face include:
- Declines in tree sap flow in cold temperatures.
- Reduced insect activity during frost and snow.
- Nuts and seeds covered under heavy snowfall.
- Difficulty prying open frozen tree bark to find larvae.
- Expending more energy foraging over wider territory.
Supplemental feeding, fat storing in warmer months, and adaptability help compensate for less natural winter food. But extended severe winters can result in starvation despite their resilience.
Winter Woodpecker Food Availability by Species
Species | Winter Food Sources | Food Availability Risk |
---|---|---|
Downy Woodpecker | Insects, tree sap, seeds, berries | Moderate risk |
Red-Bellied Woodpecker | Insects, seeds, nuts, fruit | Low risk |
Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker | Tree sap, cambium, insects | High risk |
Hairy Woodpecker | Insects, nuts, seeds | Moderate risk |
Northern Flicker | Ants, beetles, seeds, fruit | High risk |
As the table shows, the availability of key food sources for different woodpecker species varies over the winter. Some manage with flexible diets while others are more specialized.
What impacts woodpecker survival in winter?
The main factors influencing woodpecker overwinter survival include:
- Temperature – Sustained cold increases calorie needs and can freeze food sources.
- Snow depth – Deep snow covers up nuts, acorns and impacts ground foraging.
- Storms – Ice, wind, snow, and rain can prevent foraging and threaten cavities.
- Food availability – Declines in insects, sap, seeds and fruit put them at risk of starvation.
- Water access – Reliable liquid water sources prevent dehydration.
- Predators and competition – Risks from hawks, owls, snakes and other birds.
Harsher winters with more snow, ice storms, bitter cold, and limited food availability make survival more difficult for woodpeckers.
Do woodpeckers face more dangers in winter?
Woodpeckers do confront some elevated dangers in the winter months including:
- Starvation – Freezing temperatures and buried food sources can lead to starvation.
- Predation – Hawks and owl attacks are a greater threat in open areas near feeders.
- Storm damage – Their cavity homes may be damaged by heavy snow, ice, and wind.
- Vehicle collisions – Disoriented birds struck while feeding on roads are more vulnerable.
- Fighting – Competition and aggression over limited food resources can cause injury.
- Hypothermia – Extreme cold can be deadly if they lack adequate shelter and become chilled.
Extra risks like freezing, starvation and conflicts over food make winter a challenging season to survive.
Do woodpeckers benefit from bird feeders in winter?
Stocked bird feeders can provide critical supplemental nutrition and improved survival odds for woodpeckers in winter. Benefits include:
- High-fat suet offers vital calories and energy.
- Peanuts, mixed nuts and sunflower seeds give protein and carbs.
- Feeders provide consistent food when natural supplies are scarce.
- Backyard feeders are safer than venturing farther afield.
- They offer shelter and cover near houses and trees.
- Feeders help woodpeckers maintain healthier weights.
Providing clean, well-stocked feeders with preferred woodpecker foods can make the difference between life and death during harsh winters.
Do woodpeckers hide food for winter?
Some woodpecker species cache excess food in hidden spots to provide backup winter reserves. Caching behaviors include:
- Storing acorns, nuts and seeds in tree bark crevices.
- Burying food chunks in the ground or in piles of leaves.
- Wedging insects and sap treats into tight spaces.
- Concealing food in old woodpecker holes and cavities.
- Making shallow holes specifically for hiding food items.
When natural winter food runs short, cached tidbits offer woodpeckers an emergency pantry to tap into. This helps supplement lean times.
Conclusion
Woodpeckers have evolved resilience to survive cold winters despite challenges like food scarcity, harsh weather, increased energy needs, and additional dangers. While some species migrate, those that tough it out exhibit adaptations like cavity roosting, food caching, diet flexibility, and intelligence to make the most of resources.
Backyard bird feeders stocked with nutritious treats provide a lifeline for overwintering woodpeckers. With preparation and adaptability, woodpeckers can and do hang on in their breeding ranges year-round even when the going gets tough.