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 Six
species of woodpeckers breed in Florida, including the
downy (Picoides pubescens),
hairy (Picoides villosus),
red-headed (Melanerpes erythrocephalus),
red-bellied (Melanerpes carolinus),
pileated (Dryocopus pileatus), and
red-cockaded woodpeckers (Picoides borealis).
All excavate cavities in trees and feed on insects gleaned
from under the bark of trees.
As their name implies, woodpeckers feed
by pecking to chip off, or drill into, tree bark. Woodpeckers
sometimes damage decaying wood siding on houses in search
of insects. They may even attempt to excavate
a nesting cavity if the siding is soft enough and insects
are plentiful.
In the spring woodpeckers will often
"drum" on almost any surface including aluminum siding.
This staccato hammering is a courtship display only
and seldom damages the surface being drummed on.
Homeowners can often deter woodpeckers
from damaging siding by removing their source through
replacement of rotted boards with sound ones.
Gentle harassment with water hoses or silhouettes of
snakes or owls at problem sites is sometimes effective.
Excluding woodpeckers from the surface with plastic
or nylon netting is the surest method. Repellents
are generally of limited value.
Woodpeckers are protected under the
Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and are also protected
under state law, and may not be trapped or killed without
federal permit.
You can receive technical assistance
for woodpecker problems by contacting your nearest
FWC regional office.
More Information
Wildlife Resources
Handbook information on damage control
Cornell University advise on woodpecker problems
University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension
(pdf)
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