Northern Flicker

Northern Flicker

Construction Difficulty

moderate difficulty moderate

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Nesting Range

Northern Flicker Range
Source: Birds of the World

Nesting Habitat

  •  icon Grassland
  •  icon Open Woodland
  •  icon Town

Attach Nest Box To

  • Dead Tree icon Dead Tree
  • Live tree icon Live tree
  • Pole icon Pole
  • Post icon Post

Known Nesting Period

Not Nesting
Some Nesting Occurrence
Nesting in Most of Range
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Source: Birds of the World

Nest Box Placement

Height Range From Ground

6ft
12ft
6–12 feet

Spacing Between Nest Boxes

330 feet

Facing

Entrance hole facing visualization
South or East

Nest Box Measurements

Entrance Hole Size

Entrance hole size visualization 2 1/2

Nest Box Depth (inside)

Nest box depth visualization 24

Nest Box Width and Length

Nest box width and length visualization 7 1/4 7 1/4

Helpful Tips

  • Use 1 1/2"-thick boards for nest boxes.
  • Cut 1/4"-deep parallel kerfs on the inside walls to assist the nestlings in climbing out. The cuts should form a shallow "ladder" with "rungs" spaced every 1/2" from floor to hole.
  • Completely pack the box to the top with white pine wood chips. Replace with fresh wood chips every year by April 1.
  • Mount the box so that it is angled slightly forward to help the chicks climb out.
  • Place the box in a shady area, near sparsely scattered trees, with an open flyway.
  • To prevent squirrels from using the box, place the box on a pole equipped with a baffle at least 10' from the nearest tree (the distance most squirrels will jump).
  • European Starlings can usurp cavities occupied by flickers even when additional nest boxes are offered nearby. Therefore, management of European Starlings may be necessary for flickers to be successful in some areas.
  • Because flickers forage primarily on the ground, avoid treating lawns with any chemicals.