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Top 5 Best Woodpecker Bird Feeders (Must Read)

Written by Garrett Hayes

Last updated on Feb 23rd, 2024
view of a woodpecker on a snowy day

Every bird watcher knows that attracting woodpeckers can be quite a task. Even outside of the bird watching world, many people know what a woodpecker looks like and love to see them in their natural environment.

But...

One way you can ensure that we see woodpeckers in your garden for years to come is by providing a safe feeding area for them in your outdoor space and nutritional woodpecker food.

And how's that?

In this review, we’ll delve into the best woodpecker feeders on the market right now and look at just what they do to attract this special species, starting with the #1 recommended Birds Choice Suet Cages.

Top 5 Best Woodpecker Feeders Reviewed

1. Birds Choice Suet Cages-Best Overall

Birds Choice Suet Cages

The Birds Choice Two-Sided Bird Feeder holds two suet cages allowing two birds to feed at once. It is made from high-quality cedar wood and has a removable screen base for easy cleaning. The high-quality of this product makes it the best woodpecker feeder overall.

Here’s why:

All the material used, from the wood to the metal basket, is sturdy and reliable enough to take on those pecking beaks. The best bird suet feeder is what you need for this type of bird as they have a varied diet and are attracted to more than just seeds.

Suet is made from animal fat which is easily digested and metabolized by woodpeckers and other birds like wrens and kinglets. The only thing you need to be careful with woodpecker suet feeders is that your feed doesn’t go bad. Make sure you check the food and clean the feeder out regularly to ensure the suet is healthy to eat.

You can insert suet cakes that contain a range of dried ingredients, like cornmeal and fruits, into the cages to give your woodpeckers a rich and varied meal and attract even more of them to your garden. 

Unfortunately, with this woodpecker feeder you might lose some of your precious bird feed when the suet becomes worn down by the birds and falls through the cage, but this isn’t always a bad thing as scattering the feed around the cage is also a great way to attract more birds.

This is a reasonably priced woodpecker suet feeder that is comfortable for both bigger and smaller woodpeckers. However, this means that it might also be a target for squirrels and other predators so make sure you place it somewhere they will find it hard to jump down on to or climb up.

Pros

  • Sturdy durable material
  • Can hold two suet cakes
  • Easy to clean and assemble

Cons

  • Not squirrel proof
  • Could lose some suet through the cage

If you are looking for a high-quality and durable product then this is one of the best woodpecker feeders you can get.

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 2. Stokes Select Suet Bird Feeder - Best Bang for Buck

Stokes Select Suet Bird Feeder, Two Cake Suet Buffet with Weather Guard Roof

With two cake suet holders and a weather guard, you really get your money’s worth with the Stokes Select Suet Bird Feeder affordable woodpecker suet feeder...

Look:

The cage design is perfect for woodpeckers and other hanging birds, including chickadees and nuthatches, who like to grip onto the outside of the cage while they feed. The cages are great for more than just suet cakes—you can also insert seed cakes or nesting materials to attract woodpeckers year-round.

Easy to set up and secure the food inside, this solid steel construction is durable and weatherproof with a powder-coated finish and weather-resistant roof guard. The cute roof is also practical for keeping your bird feeder exclusively available for hanging birds like woodpeckers as larger birds won’t be able to steal the food from above. The roof also works as a pretty good squirrel guard stopping pesky intruders from jumping down onto your feeder.

The only problems customers have had is that the suet cakes can get pushed down into the larger cages making them harder for woodpeckers to access, so you might have to regularly top up your feed to make sure they can reach it.

For anyone dealing with a lot of rain which puts off woodpeckers from hanging out around your woodpecker feeder, this is a great weatherproof woodpecker feeder and it is also the best for budget shoppers, offering plenty of value for the money.

Pros

  • Two suet cages
  • Weather guard
  • Great for hanging birds

Cons

  • Food can be difficult to reach

If you live in a particularly rainy part of the world or have problems with squirrels stealing your bird feed, the cute roof design of this woodpecker feeder could be the answer to your problems. What’s more, it’s one of the cheaper options on the market.

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3. Rubicon Suet Feeder - Best for Attracting Larger Woodpeckers

Rubicon Suet Feeder

What makes the Rubicon Suet Feeder a bit different is the natural colors which work well to attract more birds. It also utilizes a tail prop to prevent woodpeckers from losing their balance as they feed.

Also great for a variety of bird species, this woodpecker bird feeder is durable and weatherproof thanks to the black vinyl coated suet cases. If you are aiming to attract larger birds, this is the best woodpecker feeder for large woodpeckers thanks to the handy tail prop. Even larger birds can use the tail prop to rest their tails on and feed comfortably.

This is also a great bird feeder for environmentally conscious bird watchers as it is made from recycled plastic which is very sturdy. The only problem customers have had is that it isn't squirrel proof and can be easy for predators to climb onto.

Pros

  • Made from recycled plastic
  • Natural look
  • Includes tail prop
  • Great for attracting larger woodpeckers

Cons

  • Not squirrel proof

Although it has a great natural feel and look, this woodpecker feeder is easily accessible by squirrels and predators. The good thing is the tail prop works well to attract larger woodpeckers.

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4. Nature’s Way CWF2 Cedar Suet Upside-Down Bird Feeder - Most Accessible for Woodpeckers

Nature’s Way CWF2 Cedar Suet Upside-Down Bird Feeder

You might be wondering why Nature’s Way would make an upside-down bird feeder. The clever design is actually very functional when it comes to attracting woodpeckers as larger birds like blackbirds are deterred by the design and aren’t able to intimidate woodpeckers away from their food.

Here’s how:

Blackbirds and grackles normally have free access to bird feeders. This clever upside-down woodpecker feeder solves that problem by protecting the feed underneath the bird feeder, only allowing hanging birds like woodpeckers to access it.

Made from premium rot-resistant cedar, this is another high-quality birdfeeder which will last you for years to come. The preservative also helps to prevent discoloration, mold, and water damage. It is made with rust-free mesh and screws and vinyl-coated steel hanging cables making it one of the sturdiest woodpecker feeders available.

It only holds one suet cake which is a bit of a let down when a lot of woodpecker suet feeders can hold two, allowing more than one bird to feed at one time. The good thing is the woodpecker food is easy to insert by opening the lid. 

If you are looking for something a bit different this is the best innovative woodpecker feeder.

The only problem we can see with this design is the woodpeckers feeding upside down can rock it from side to side and cause damage if it collides with nearby trees. Squirrels are also able to hang upside down from a feeder quite easily so they won’t be baffled by this woodpecker feeder.

Pros

  • Deters larger birds like blackbirds
  • Innovative design attracts woodpeckers
  • Easy to fill with woodpecker food

Cons

  • Only one suet cake
  • Not squirrel proof

This woodpecker feeder is something a little different which makes your woodpecker food easily accessible to woodpeckers instead of larger birds which could scare them off.  

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5. Squirrel-X Squirrel Proof Double Suet Feeder - Best Squirrel Proof Option

Squirrel-X Squirrel Proof Double Suet Feeder, Cage Bird Feeder, 2 Suet Cake Capacity

The best squirrel proof woodpecker feeder is the Squirrel-X as the cage design allows birds to access the woodpecker food without squirrels beating them to it.

As well as the outer cage which protects the woodpecker food there are also two suet cake cages inside which are great for attracting more woodpeckers. The outer cage works to keep squirrels and larger birds away from the suet making it ideal for woodpeckers.

What’s more:

This woodpecker feeder is very durable. Made from a steel lid and powder-coated weather-resistant metal, this cage can withstand a lot of heavy use. If you don’t have suet, you can fill the cage with all sorts of woodpecker foods such as berries and seeds.

There is plenty of room inside the cage to accommodate more than one bird at a time without letting those sneaky squirrels in. There isn’t much weather protection but with a safe, squirrel-proof cage most woodpeckers will be happy to use it even in the rain.

Some customers have had a pretty major problem with this bird feeder, however. Birds can get stuck inside the cage so make sure you keep an eye out and change the food regularly.

Pros

  • Squirrel-proof
  • Sturdy durable material

Cons

  • Birds can get trapped inside the cage

Although a squirrel-proof woodpecker feeder is a great idea, the problem with this product is some birds can get stuck inside the cage themselves...If you seriously need to deter squirrels give this woodpecker feeder a go but keep an eye out in case the birds need rescuing from the cage itself!

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pileated woodpecker on a feeder


What Does a Woodpecker Eat?

One of the most confusing things about buying a woodpecker feeder is trying to decide whether or not you need a suet feeder.

Whether we are talking about the woodpecker species from any state, these birds can scavenge for a range of foods including acorns, nuts, and fruits but it’s not so easy to get such a wide range of food into a single bird feeder.

This is why suet is one of the best ways to attract woodpeckers. 

It is made from a mix of animal fat, fruits, and nuts which makes it irresistible to a range of birds including woodpeckers, chickadees and cardinals. Most woodpecker suet feeders come with a cage where you can easily insert your suet cakes and watch as nifty birds take turns to peck their way through the food.

Which is the Best Woodpecker Feeder for Me?

With so many good options for the best bird woodpecker feeder on the market, it can be hard to make a final decision so we’ve come up with some options for different purposes to help you narrow down which is the best woodpecker feeder for you.

Best for Budget

You really get your money’s worth with the Stokes Select Suet Bird Feeder as it comes with two suet cake holders and a weather guard, all for a very reasonable price. Just don’t expect it to be quite as durable as professional quality woodpecker feeders.

Best for Durability

The Birds Choice Suet Cages is the best woodpecker feeder in this review because of its durable material. Even if you’ve had other woodpecker feeders fall apart on you, this feeder will be a welcome surprise as the sturdy cedar wood is sure to last years.

Best Squirrel Proof Woodpecker Feeder

The Squirrel-X Squirrel Proof Double Suet Feeder is a pretty reliable and squirrel-proof woodpecker feeder so if you are really struggling with squirrels stealing your woodpecker food, this could be the best one for you. The only problem is you’ll have to keep an eye out that the woodpeckers don’t get so distracted by your high-quality woodpecker food that they get stuck in the cage.

Read Also: Do Woodpeckers Migrate?


Conclusion

If you’re wondering how to attract woodpeckers, a decent woodpecker suet feeder is the answer. For me, the overall best woodpecker feeder has to be the Birds Choice Suet Cages.

This stylish woodpecker feeder comes with two cages for suet so you can attract woodpeckers and other birds to feed at the same time. What makes it stand out from other options is the durable and professional quality material which is sure to keep it going through harsh wind and weather.

For anyone who is eager to attract woodpeckers, take a look at the woodpecker feeders in this review and give any of them a go. You are sure to notice a big difference compared to a traditional bird feeder with these woodpecker suet feeders.

About The Author

1 thought on “Top 5 Best Woodpecker Bird Feeders (Must Read)”

  1. Rubicon Suet Feeder is a great feeder, well made, easy to fill with seed cakes or suet. The prop also balances the wired suet basket so pecking birds will be comfortable while feasting on the savory nuts.

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