Where do woodpeckers sleep?
Woodpeckers sleep inside tree cavities, often holes they excavate in fall just for roosting. They cling to the inside wall with their tail braced, the same way they rest on a trunk.
Where they roost
- Self-excavated roost holes in dead limbs, snags and sometimes house siding.
- Old nest cavities.
- Roost boxes with a hole sized to the species.
Getting through cold nights
A cavity can be several degrees warmer than outside air and blocks wind. Downy Woodpeckers excavate fresh roost holes each fall, which is one reason they drill into houses in autumn.
How to help in your yard
- Leave dead limbs and snags where safe.
- Mount a roost box with a 1¼-inch hole for Downies, 1½-inch for Hairy and Red-bellied, on a tree trunk 8–20 feet up before October.
- Offer suet through winter.
Frequently asked
Where do woodpeckers sleep at night?
Woodpeckers sleep inside tree cavities, often holes they excavate in fall just for roosting. They cling to the inside wall with their tail braced, the same way they rest on a trunk.
How do woodpeckers survive cold nights?
A cavity can be several degrees warmer than outside air and blocks wind. Downy Woodpeckers excavate fresh roost holes each fall, which is one reason they drill into houses in autumn.
Why are woodpeckers drilling my house in fall?
Often they are digging a winter roost hole. A roost box mounted over the damage can redirect them.
Other birds
Species covered: Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers.
Sources
- Downy Woodpecker life history (Cornell Lab, All About Birds)
- NestWatch (Cornell Lab): Roost boxes and winter shelter
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.
Boxes for roosting birds
Cavity sleepers use the same boxes in winter that they nest in during spring.
Six-Room Wooden Birdhouse
A small wooden village of six roofed rooms on one base. About 20 cm long, 13 cm deep and 15 cm tall (7.9 x 5.1 x 5.9 in). Two finishes: natural wood or a dark scorched stain.Honest noteThis is a decorative piece. The rooms are too small and shallow to meet nest-box guidelines for most songbirds, the roof doesn't open for cleaning, and hummingbirds never nest in boxes. For a working nest box, see our nest-box guides.Specs Material: wood with water-resistant finish Six openings, front arched doorway
Classic Wooden Nest Box
A straightforward wooden nest box for small garden birds. The enclosed design gives cavity nesters shelter from weather and predators through the breeding season.Place in a quiet spot with a clear flight path to the entrance, and clean annually after fledging. Natural wood Enclosed cavity design For wrens, chickadees, tits and similar species
Wooden Nest Box with Perch
A simple wooden nest box (19.5 × 12 cm) with a small entrance perch, sized for small parrots and similar cavity nesters in aviaries or sheltered outdoor spaces.Made from natural wood with a hinged or sliding panel for cleaning between seasons. 19.5 × 12 cm Entrance perch included Natural wood construction
Hanging Wooden Nest Box
A lightweight wooden nest box that hangs from a branch, beam or hook. Suited to small birds that nest in enclosed cavities.Hang it in a sheltered spot out of full afternoon sun, and clean it out once a year after the breeding season ends. Natural wood Hanging design with attached loop For small cavity-nesting birds