So far, I don't think they have done a lot of damage here. It's only a matter of time, though. Their only known predator is the Woodpecker. Those we have a good amount of.
We never used to have the pileated woodpeckers until the EAB came to roost. Lots of downy and hairy woodpeckers and just a very few redheaded we've had for as long as I can remember but now it is nice to have the pileated too.
This year it's been downy and hairy and a pair of red bellied. The Pileated that was here for years had not had a successor this year. He was huge. I miss the hammering in the morning.
The funny thing is this is the first year I've seen them. They hang around the feeders. The adult male takes a piece of suet and puts it in the mouth of a female or juvenile. It is amazing to see. We did have Flickers a few years back too.
Yes, we watch them every year feeding the young but not suet. They just get into the birdseed, especially if we have any corn in the seed.
Here,they love suet. They'll eat the seeds a little, but they love suet. Especially the kind with mealworms in it. I use a melt resistant suet cakes and it works great. The regular stuff is good in the winter.
We have them here. They are very noisy. They also will tear a tree up relentlessly. Some homes are badly damaged by them
