Flickers, also known as yellow-shafted flickers or common flickers, are large woodpeckers found throughout much of North America. They are highly adaptable birds that inhabit open woodlands, parks, suburbs, and even city centers. As their habitat has become more fragmented due to development, flickers have learned to nest in man-made structures as well as in tree cavities. This has led many people to wonder – will flickers use nest boxes?
The short answer is yes, flickers can and do use nest boxes, provided the boxes meet their particular requirements. Flickers have very large bodies compared to other backyard birds like chickadees or nuthatches, so they need a bigger cavity with a larger entrance hole. Specific nest box dimensions and placement will make a nest box more attractive and accessible to these birds. Read on for more details about flicker nesting habits and how to cater to them with man-made nesting sites.
Flicker Nesting Basics
Flickers are secondary cavity nesters, meaning they don’t excavate their own nesting cavities but rather rely on existing holes or cavities in trees, snags, utility poles and sometimes the eaves or walls of buildings. They typically choose a cavity with an entrance 2.5-3 inches across. Inside, the cavity should be at least 16 inches deep with a diameter of at least 7 inches. Flickers will build a nest about 6-10 inches down into the cavity with wood chips.
The male and female will both work to excavate the cavity and construct the nest. Flickers are monogamous and mate for life. In any given year, about half of paired flickers will choose to skip breeding. Those that do breed lay between 5-8 eggs which hatch after about 11-14 days. The young fledge another 25-28 days after hatching. Some pairs will have two broods in a season.
Flickers prefer to nest in areas with at least some open space and scattered trees, rather than dense forest. They especially like forest edges, parks, and suburban areas with large trees. Dead trees or snags with existing cavities are prime real estate but flickers will also excavate holes in live, damaged or diseased trees. They may also nest in crevices or cavities in rock faces, eaves, chimneys and walls of buildings.
Using Nest Boxes to Attract Flickers
Providing properly constructed nest boxes can encourage flickers to breed in your yard. Here are some tips:
– Box size: The interior of the box should be at least 16 inches deep with about a 7 inch diameter. Make sure the entrance hole is 2.5-3 inches across.
– Hole placement: The entrance hole should be located near the top of the front panel, not the side. Flickers prefer to enter nest boxes from above.
– Materials: Use untreated rough-cut lumber at least 3/4 inch thick. Avoid treated woods which may contain chemicals toxic to birds.
– Box height: Mount boxes 10-30 feet high on tree trunks, poles or buildings. East or southeast facing locations get morning sun.
– Habitat: Pick locations with a mix of open and wooded areas. Face the entrance towards an open area.
– Perches: Add external perches below the entry hole to serve as landing pads.
– Protection: Use metal to line entrance holes and add metal predator guards below boxes.
– Number of boxes: Start with 3-4 boxes spaced at least 100 yards apart to provide options.
– Maintenance: Clean out old nesting materials in fall or winter.
Following these guidelines will give flickers the type of nesting site they prefer and encourage them to raise young in your nest boxes. Monitor boxes to ensure they are not taken over by invasive bird species. With proper placement and care, flickers can successfully fledge young from man-made nesting cavities.
Flicker Nesting Behavior
To better understand how to make nest boxes flicker-friendly, it helps to know more about their breeding and nesting habits. Here are some interesting facts about flickers during nesting season:
– Flickers are early nesters, beginning nest construction as early as mid-March in their northern range. Nest building peaks from April to early May.
– Males establish nesting territories and attract a mate with loud calls and wing displays. Courtship feeding helps form pair bonds.
– Both sexes participate in choosing nest sites. They may check out several options before deciding.
– The pair excavates the nest cavity together over 1-2 weeks. Flickers have specially adapted hammer-like bills for chiseling.
– Flickers make shallow excavations in dead trees or snags. They also nest in live trees with heart rot diseases.
– Nest height can range widely from 3 feet up to 65 feet high. Coastal populations nest at lower heights than inland birds.
– Flickers line their nests with wood chips created during excavation. The nest cup is 6-10 inches below the cavity entrance.
– Eggs are glossy white. On average, a flicker clutch contains 5-8 eggs which are laid daily.
– Only the female incubates the eggs. She stays on the nest for 22-24 days until hatching.
– Both parents feed nestlings by regurgitating insects and fruit. Young fledge in 25-28 days.
– Parents may continue to care for fledglings for several weeks as they teach them to find food.
– Flickers are territorial and defend nest sites. Both members of a pair may defend the site.
Knowing flickers’ timeline for breeding, cavity preferences and nesting habits will allow you to provide the right nest box conditions to attract them.
Pros and Cons of Flickers Nesting on Your Property
Encouraging flickers to nest on your property has both advantages and potential drawbacks. Consider these pros and cons:
Pros:
– Provides needed nesting habitat for a native species as natural cavities decline
– Opportunity to observe interesting nesting behaviors
– Helps control ants and other insects flickers eat
– Fun to watch the antics of young fledglings and parents feeding them
– Bright plumage and loud calls add excitement
– Cavities created may later benefit other species
Cons:
– Loud drumming on nest box or home can be annoying
– Excavating may damage wood siding or trees
– Large size of nest boxes
– Aggressive dive bombing when defending nest
– Wood chips and debris around nest site
– Barred owls may attempt to take over nest box
– Higher maintenance to clean nest boxes annually
Overall, the benefits of attracting flickers by providing suitable nest boxes in your yard outweigh the negatives for most homeowners. Their ability to adapt to nest in man-made structures makes them fun and interesting to have around.
Other Birds That Will Use Flicker Nest Boxes
In addition to flickers, other birds may be attracted to the large nest boxes designed with flickers in mind. Some additional species that may use flicker boxes include:
– Barn Owls: Nocturnal hunters that also nest in cavities. Help control rodents.
– American Kestrels: Small cavity nesting falcons that prey on insects, birds and mice.
– Eastern Screech-Owls: Tiny owls up to 9 inches tall that eat insects, mice and songbirds.
– Wood Ducks: Strikingly colored waterfowl that nest in tree cavities near ponds and rivers.
– Northern Flying Squirrels: Large nocturnal squirrels that will use cavities for den sites and raising young.
– Southern Flying Squirrels: Small cavity nesters that eat nuts, fruit, buds and insects.
– Bats: Cavity roosting bats like big brown bats may use boxes. Help control insects.
The nest box can be used simultaneously or sequentially by flickers and secondary cavity nesting species. With multi-year occupancy, you may attract a wonderful variety of birds, owls, ducks and mammals over time. Place boxes away from high disturbance areas and clean out old nests during winter months to continue attracting new residents each year. Proper placement and maintenance keeps the box accessible for flickers and other species interested in this prime real estate.
Tips for Attracting Flickers to Your Property
Here are some other tips beyond nest boxes that can help make your yard attractive for nesting, roosting and feeding flickers:
– Leave dead trees and snags whenever it is safe to do so. This provides natural nesting and roosting sites.
– Avoid removing dead limbs and branches from live trees. Watch for flicker excavation work.
– Plant native trees like oak, beech, maple and pine to provide good habitat. Have a mix of open and wooded areas.
– Put up suet feeders with nutritious insect suet cakes to provide food during nesting season.
– Offer fruit like chopped apples, oranges, berries and grapes in platform feeders.
– Create a brush pile of branches and logs to encourage ants and insects which flickers eat.
– Place perches and poles around your yard for roosting and resting.
– Put up nest boxes specially sized for flickers on appropriate trees or poles.
– Use pesticides sparingly or not at all – flickers feed heavily on ants and beetles.
– Include shallow birdbaths for drinking and bathing needs.
With some planning and wildlife-friendly practices, you can tune your yard to meet the needs of flickers and enjoy watching them raise young. Their acrobatic antics and loud calls make them a fun backyard attraction.
Common Problems with Flickers and Nest Boxes
Even when you follow guidelines for designing and placing flicker nest boxes, you may still encounter some issues. Here are some common problems and solutions:
Problem: Flickers don’t show interest in using the nest boxes.
Solution: It may take a season or two for flickers to find and accept a nest box. Make sure placement, height, entrance size and interior dimensions meet their requirements. Be patient.
Problem: Starlings, squirrels or other birds invade flicker nest boxes.
Solution: Use recommended entrance sizes, predator guards and metal reinforcements to block species like starlings. Discourage squirrels with predator guards and baffles.
Problem: Flickers bore holes in house walls or window frames.
Solution: Provide suitable nest boxes to redirect nesting behavior away from your home. Repair and reinforce damaged areas.
Problem: Flickers attacking windows or cars near nest.
Solution: Move nest boxes further away. Use window treatments to reduce reflections that triggers defensive attacks.
Problem: Nestlings die from starvation, predators, weather or abandonment.
Solution: Unfortunately this happens naturally quite often. You can try relocating the box to a safer spot for future years.
Even with challenges, nest boxes are still a great way to support flickers. Be patient, use deterrents as needed, and repair any damage promptly. Enjoy observing flicker behavior and offspring when nests are successful.
Plans and Instructions for Building a Flicker Nest Box
If you’d like to build your own nest box specifically for flickers, here is a step-by-step guide:
Materials Needed:
– 1×10, 1×12 or 1×14 untreated lumber (cedar, pine or fir)
– 3/4 inch plywood scrap for roof
– 2.5-3 inch entrance hole saw bit
– Galvanized nails, screws and hardware cloth
– Staple gun and staples
– Wood glue
– Neutral color water-based stain, paint or preservative
Cut lumber into the following components:
– Front panel – 12.5″ wide x 16″ high
– Back panel – 12.5″ wide x 16-18″ high
– Side panels – 16″ wide x 16-18″ high (2)
– Bottom panel – 13″ x 13″ square
– Top panel – 13″ x 13″ square
– Roof panel – 13″ x 13″ square plywood
Construct box:
1. Cut entrance hole centered at top of front panel. Sand edges smooth.
2. Apply glue to joints and nail front panel between sides. Add back panel last.
3. Add bottom panel recessed half inch up from bottom edge.
4. Attach top panel recessed 3 inches down from top.
5. Cut hardware cloth 13″ square. Staple inside box top to form predator guard beneath entrance hole.
6. Center and attach plywood roof panel exterior with waterproof adhesive and finish nails.
7. Caulk outside seams for weatherproofing. Prime and paint/stain exterior.
8. Optional: Add exterior perches, predator guards or decorative elements.
Follow these steps to construct a custom nesting box perfect for flickers in your area. Make sure to properly mount and protect the box from predators and weather. Watch for your new avian residents!
Conclusion
Flickers are large, attractive woodpeckers that bring excitement to backyards across much of North America. As natural nesting sites decline, properly designed and placed nest boxes can provide critical habitat for breeding flickers. Their natural history predisposes them to accept nest boxes, provided the cavity is large enough and high enough for these birds. Specific construction tips like appropriate entrance hole size and interior dimensions, external perches, predator guards and open siting will maximize the chances of flickers using offered nest boxes.
A successful flicker nest box will allow you to enjoy an up-close look at breeding, nesting and parenting behaviors of these birds. Their loud calls and hammering will liven up your daily soundscape. Take steps to manage potential downsides like structural damage or aggression near the nest site. Be patient, as it may take a season or two for flickers to warm up to using a provided cavity. With a well-built and properly sited nest box, you’ll stand an excellent chance of attracting magnificent yellow-shafted flickers to breed and raise their young on your property. The benefits of these natural pest managers and recycling machines will easily outweigh the extra effort. Soon you’ll have your own flicker family enlivening your yard and using your custom nest home.