Biology & Control of Woodpeckers

1. Biology & Control of Woodpeckers Candace Cummings Urban Wildlife Specialist Clemson University

2. Biology of Woodpeckers • 21 species in U.S. • hairy, downy and yellow-bellied most common & widely distributed • tree-dependent species • 2 sharp-clawed toes, stiff tail feathers • most feed on tree-living or wood-boring insects • stout & sharp beaks, long tongues can extend a considerable distance • breed & have young in the spring

3. Northern flicker Pileated Yellow-bellied sapsucker

4. Woodpeckers Red-bellied Red-headed

5. Hairy woodpecker Downy woodpecker

6. Endangered Woodpeckers Red-cockaded Ivory-billed

7. Damage & Damage Identification • Damage to sides of wooden buildings/houses, drumming noise • Utility pole damage & timber reported • Damage generally involves only 1-2 birds • Most damage occurs February - June • corresponds to breeding season & territory establishment • Holes drilled into sides of wooden buildings

8. Damage & Damage Identification • Red-headed, red-bellied, downy, hairy, northern flicker, and pileated cause most problems • Yellow-bellied sapsucker problems on trees (“bird-peck” lowers tree quality) • Structural damage to wood siding, eaves, window frames, & trim boards ($300/incident) • Prefer stained or natural wood • Prefer cedar & redwood siding

9. Legal Status • Classified as migratory nongame • Protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act • Red-cockaded and ivory-billed protected under the Endangered Species Act • Non-endangered woodpeckers can only be killed via permit from USFWS upon recommendations of USDA Wildlife Services

10. Damage Prevention & Control • Exclusion • Netting • Generally the most effective method • lightweight plastic netting (3/4 inch mesh) • hang from eave over damaged area • 3 inches of space between netting and building • hang past damage • (see page E-142 of manual)

11. Damage Prevention & Control • Exclusion • Metal barriers • metal or plastic sheeting over damaged area • can paint to match wood siding • 1/4 inch hardware cloth can be used • trees damaged by sapsuckers can be wrapped • 1/4 inch hardware cloth • plastic mesh • burlap

12. Damage Prevention & Control • Frightening Devices • Visual • Artificial hawks, owls, snakes, cats generally ineffective • Scare by movement or reflection --Toy plastic twirlers, windmills, aluminum foil or plastic strips, & pie pans limited effectiveness • Balloons with eyes limited effectiveness • Magnifying shaving mirrors

13. Damage Prevention & Control • Frightening Devices • Sound • Loud noises -- hand clapping, gunfire, garbage can lid banging, etc. If repeated over time may cause birds to leave • Propane (gas cannons) exploders • High frequency sound

14. Damage Prevention & Control • Repellents • Taste • Many tested, most ineffective & costly • Odor • Naphthalene, creosote, and others ineffective • Tactile • Sticky or tacky bird repellents (Tanglefoot,, 4-The-Birds, and Roost-No-More) may be effective

15. Damage Prevention & Control • Toxicants • Illegal as well as none are registered for use • Trapping • live trapping ineffective • lethal wooden-base rat snap traps baited with nut meats effective but must obtain a permit • Shooting • Requires permit and local ordinances issues

16. Damage Prevention & Control • Other Methods • Suet • Lure birds from damaged area • Lack of information • Nest boxes • Some success with northern flicker • Insecticides for indirect control • reduce food source, limited information, direct effect on birds (?)