Northern Flickers in Newfoundland and Labrador
When flickers are present in Newfoundland and Labrador, when they nest, which native Newfoundland and Labrador plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a–6b yard.
- Status in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–June
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 0a–6b
- Nest box
- 2 1/2 in hole, 7 × 7 in floor, 6–20 ft
When to expect flickers in Newfoundland and Labrador
Northern Flickers are summer residents in Newfoundland and Labrador, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on ants and ant larvae.
Cool maritime on the island of Newfoundland; subarctic in Labrador.
Nesting in Newfoundland and Labrador
Across Newfoundland and Labrador, flickers typically nest from May–June. Nest site: excavated cavity in dead or soft trees and utility poles. Females lay 5–8 eggs, incubate for 11–13 days, and young leave the nest after 24–27 days.
Cool summers; nesting often starts in June.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before April — flickers begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
- Use a 2 1/2 in entrance on a 7 × 7 in floor, mounted 6–20 ft.
- Fit a pole baffle or hole guard; ventilation gaps and drainage holes are essential.
- Clean out old nests after each brood and again after June.
Native Newfoundland and Labrador plants that attract flickers
Of the regional native plants we track for Newfoundland and Labrador, these 8 provide food or cover flickers use:
Deciduous holly holding red fruit into mid-winter.
Seed-rich cones and year-round shelter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Among the first spring bloomers; early insects for returning migrants.
Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.
Feeding flickers through the Newfoundland and Labrador year
Flickers feed on lawns more than any other woodpecker and will use nest boxes packed with wood chips.
- Best foods: Suet, Peanut hearts.
- In Newfoundland and Labrador's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are flickers in Newfoundland and Labrador year-round?
No. Northern Flickers are summer breeders in Newfoundland and Labrador and leave for the winter.
When do flickers nest in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Nesting in Newfoundland and Labrador typically runs May–June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 5–8 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days.
What native plants attract flickers in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Winterberry, Eastern white pine, Paper birch, Red maple, Pin cherry, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Highbush cranberry are native plants in Newfoundland and Labrador that provide food or cover for flickers.
What size birdhouse hole do flickers need?
2 1/2 in, with a floor of 7 × 7 in mounted 6–20 ft.
Northern Flickers in other regions
Other backyard birds in Newfoundland and Labrador
Sources
- Northern Flicker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Flicker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Flicker — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Newfoundland and Labrador
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.