Diann commented that the a game department brochure says don't use sticky
repellents to discourage flickers, it can be lethal to them and other birds.
My response is, only if you use these products incorrectly. If repellents are
applied in a thick layer then the bird can get stuck in the repellent. I've
spoken with the Animal Damage Control people at Fish and Wildlife and
repellents are one of the few effective solutions to serious flicker
problems. I've seen flickers do $1000's of damage to the siding of homes. In
extreme cases, permits can be obtained to destroy offending birds.
Incidentally, have you thought about why flickers are such a problem? In most
case it's because we have cleared the dead trees and snags they normally use
to drum and nest in. This is a reflection of the continuing conflict between
man and nature, it's not safe to have a bunch of dead snags around homes.
Terry Whitworth