Woodpeckers do eat bananas. While they are primarily known for their affinity for insects and tree sap, woodpeckers are opportunistic feeders and will readily consume a variety of fruits, including bananas. In fact, bananas are often a popular choice among backyard bird enthusiasts for attracting woodpeckers.
Woodpeckers are attracted to the sweetness and high energy content of ripe bananas. The soft texture of the fruit also makes it easier for them to consume. They may peck at the banana to break it into smaller pieces or simply pick at it with their beak.
To offer bananas to woodpeckers, you can slice them into halves or smaller sections. Half a banana can be placed on a platform feeder or secured to a tree trunk using wire or string. Alternatively, you can hang the banana sections from a suet feeder with a mesh or hardware cloth surface, allowing the woodpeckers to cling to it and feed.
It’s important to note that while woodpeckers do eat bananas, they may not be as attracted to them as they are to other fruits or food sources. Offering a variety of fruits, such as oranges, grapes, or apples, alongside bananas can help attract a wider range of woodpecker species to your backyard.
Personal experiences have shown that woodpeckers may take some time to discover and start feeding on bananas. It may require patience and consistent offering of bananas before they become a regular part of their diet. Additionally, other bird species, such as mockingbirds or orioles, may also be attracted to the bananas, adding to the diversity of bird visitors in your yard.
Woodpeckers do eat bananas, along with a variety of other fruits. By offering bananas in suitable feeding arrangements, such as on a platform or suet feeder, you can provide an additional food source for woodpeckers and enhance your bird-watching experience.