If you have large, old trees in your yard or live near a park or woodlot, you may have one or more species of woodpeckers in the neighborhood. To supplement existing vegetation, plant a few native fruit trees and bushes. Sapsuckers and redheaded woodpeckers enjoy eating berries as well as insects. Planting nut-bearing trees, such as oak, pecan, and almond, will attract Lewis's woodpecker, if that species is indigenous to your area. Lewis's woodpecker is the only woodpecker in the United States with wings that are entirely solid in color.
Snags are great for attracting woodpeckers.
It is a dead tree. Woodpeckers seek out the insects in the decaying material and, since woodpeckers are cavity nesters, they will use the holes in trees to raise their brood. As long as dead or dying trees do not pose a hazard, you may want to leave them in your yard for the birds to use. Leave a snag in your yard and you may find the characteristic rectangular holes left by this uncommon bird digging for ants. Suet attracts a variety of birds.