Northern Flicker

Northern Flicker Feeders

The best bird feeder for attracting northern flickers is a suet bird feeder cage. Northern flickers will also eat black oil sunflower seeds from a traditional feeder but will prefer the suet. Be sure to hang your feeder in such a way it doesn’t spin or rotate. The flicker will feed at your feeder almost instantaneously if it feels safe and secure there. View our northern flicker feeders above for more detailed descriptions of what we offer in regards to suet feeders.

Northern Flicker Feeding

Northern flickers, unlike their woodpecker cousins who cling to the sides of trees, are most frequently found feeding on the ground. Their favorite food is ants and they can flick their tongue 3” beyond their beak to snatch up their favorite snack. Northern flickers eat more ants than any other bird in North America. In addition to eating ants, flickers will also do a behavior called anting. Anting is where the bird squishes the ant and rubs it in its feathers. The acids from the ant aid the bird in remaining parasite free. If a bird feeder is available the northern flicker will immediately choose suet or sunflower seeds as an alternative food source. Shop northern flicker seed and feed above to get started on attracting northern flicker to your yard today.

Northern Flicker Housing

Northern flickers are cavity nesters, preferring to build their nests 8-100 feet off of the ground in a tree, post or cactus. Bird Feeders Etc.’s Coveside Northern Flicker House is a perfect space for your northern flicker family. It is deep enough to accommodate the size of the flicker and if you line the bird house with sawdust you will have a tenant in no time. Placing the northern flicker bird house near a trouble area where you have woodpecker holes in your siding can deter the birds from further damaging your home.