Per a Colorado State flyer "Preventing Woodpecker Damage"
by W.F. Andelt, S.N. Hopper and M. Cerato1

there are several suggestions--one that I have heard several times is to build nest boxes, esp if the drilling corresponds to mating time. This flyer also had several other suggestions for year-round control.
( http://www.ext.colostate.edu/Pubs/natres/06516.html )

Nesting Boxes
All North American woodpeckers are primarily cavity nesters that excavate their own cavities, but some species occasionally use existing cavities or nest boxes. Woodpeckers need dead or dying trees, (also known as snags), to excavate their nesting cavities. With the growth of cities, the availability of snags has decreased significantly and challenges the woodpeckers to find suitable alternatives. In the event your building is chosen, nest boxes are worth trying where other methods have failed. Place cavity-type nest boxes on buildings in the vicinity of northern flicker damage. Nesting woodpeckers will defend their territories and keep other woodpeckers away.

All North American woodpeckers are primarily cavity nesters that excavate their own cavities, but some species occasionally use existing cavities or nest boxes. Woodpeckers need dead or dying trees, (also known as snags), to excavate their nesting cavities. With the growth of cities, the availability of snags has decreased significantly and challenges the woodpeckers to find suitable alternatives. In the event your building is chosen, nest boxes are worth trying where other methods have failed. Place cavity-type nest boxes on buildings in the vicinity of northern flicker damage. Nesting woodpeckers will defend their territories and keep other woodpeckers away.


For the northern flicker, construct nest boxes from wood with a 2 1/2 inch diameter entrance hole 16 to 20 inches above the floor. Inside dimensions should be about 6 x 6 inches, the total height 22 to 26 inches, and the height above ground 6 to 20 feet. A front-sloping, hinged roof will shed rain and provide easy access. Fill the box with sawdust to encourage the bird to excavate it to the desired level. Supposedly, by removing the sawdust, the bird is fooled into thinking it is constructing its own nest. Some nut meat can be added on top of the sawdust to entice the woodpecker. Place the box close to the damaged area and cover all holes drilled by woodpeckers.


If the nest box attracts European starlings, paint the interior of the box white. Starlings apparently do not like light-colored interiors. Alternatively, mount a starling-sized box near the woodpecker box and temporarily cover the woodpecker box hole to encourage the starlings to move to the smaller box.



For rest of article go to: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/Pubs/natres/06516.html

Christine Southwick
N Seattle/Shoreline
clsouthwick at comcast.net


On Wed, 17 Jan 2007, Suzanne Krom wrote:

> The other day I met a farmer at my local farmer's market who asked for suggestions on non-lethal ways to deal with flickers. The birds are apparently drilling/drumming along the roof-line and flashing, and near the ventilation vents of his two-story house, and he spends considerable time perched precariously on his ladder patching the damaged areas. It used to be seasonal but now they drill year-round. He admitted to killing them on rare occasions, and said that other farmers regularly kill them in order to reduce the damage they cause. It was very clear that he hated taking this last resort measure and wants to find a harmless alternative.
>
> He's used a variety of materials, the latest being hardware cloth. The stuff tears his gloves and cuts his hands -- and it's not working. The birds are able to break off enough of the metal bars to access the house. If you have suggestions for him, I'll pass them along. I know he would appreciate it.
> Suzanne Krom
> West Seattle
> szkrom at drizzle dot com
>

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