The best feeder for flickers
Flickers feed on lawns more than any other woodpecker and will use nest boxes packed with wood chips.
Feeder styles that work
High-fat food in winter; a tail prop suits woodpeckers.
Mimics natural ground foraging; place within 10 ft of shrubs.
What to fill it with
- Suet
- Peanut hearts
Sizing the feeder to the bird
The Northern Flicker measures 11–12.2 in and weighs 3.9–5.6 oz. Perches, ports and landing surfaces need to fit that frame — too small and the bird can't feed comfortably, too open and larger birds and squirrels dominate.
Keep it clean
Scrub feeders every two weeks in hot soapy water, soak 10 minutes in a 1:9 bleach solution, rinse and dry before refilling. Rake up hulls underneath.
Frequently asked
What kind of feeder is best for flickers?
Suet cage or tail-prop suet feeder. High-fat food in winter; a tail prop suits woodpeckers.
What should I put in a feeder for flickers?
Suet, Peanut hearts.
Where should I place a feeder for flickers?
Flickers feed on lawns more than any other woodpecker and will use nest boxes packed with wood chips.
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
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.