What are you feeding them? Ours like BOSS even though we have a couple suet feeders. As for the pileateds, we have seen them occasionally in our area----and have heard them even more--but have yet to draw them in. Last night, we had 4 male rose breasted grosbeaks, three females, and our first hummingbirds and orioles. Still waiting on the indigos.

pife, Painting nestboxes is not necessary, but if you want to preserve the wood, you only need to paint the outside. To keep them cool, use a light color. Painting the exterior of the box white or light tan (before nesting season begins) can help reduce interior temperatures. Here is a great site for reference about nestboxes, safe setup, and monitoring. You can also do a site search there for more info about paint and nestboxes. BlueBars Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/index.html

Oh man. How terrible. Was the woodpecker a little Downy woodpecker or a larger one? House Sparrows are horrid little creatures, and it sure sounds like something one of them would do. Don't think that they could handle a large woodpecker tho. I know that they will kill Bluebirds and Tree Swallows when competing for nestboxes. Did the woodpecker have injuries that could have resulted from being pecked? Just yesterday, I had to take down a nest box in my yard because House Sparrows were taking in nesting materials. Of course, the woodpecker could have died of natural causes too. You can purchase or make a "Sparrow Spooker" to mount onto the birdhouse. I made and use them on my Bluebird boxes to keep the nasties out, and I have had good success with them. Just Google the words "Sparrow Spooker" and you will find info. Check out this info on the HOSP and their habits at the sialis site: http://www.sialis.org/hospattacks.htm Here is a link that might be useful: Sialis site info on House Sparrows

The major bullies at my feeders are the mockingbirds. I have one who comes by now and then just to perch on one of the feeders and run off any other birds who attempt to land, and he's not even interested in the food that's that feeder! However, last fall I witnessed a "Gun Fight at the OK Corral"---a face off between the mockingbird and the red-belly over a platform feeder with lots of good nuts, fruit and seeds. After a lengthy stare-down, the red-belly won the day--the mockingbird capitulated and flew away.