Flicker, Friend or Foe?
The Norther Flicker is a common woodpecker in the Washington State. There are two primary subspecies found in North America are the Red Shafted (as pictured) which is common in the west and the Yellow Shafted flickers more common in the East.
Though common these Flickers may be in decline due to pressures from the Starlings(not native) and habitat loss.
During the spring the Flickers will start to drum to attract mates. This should not be confused with nesting.
Norther Flicker Calls
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Flicker/sounds
Flickers mainly want to nest in cavities of standing dead trees and this can become an issue with the Flickers when comes to our homes. They will often start to nest on homes, I guess they see them as one large dead standing tree. Though they prefer wood they will also nest through fiber cement siding (Hardi-plank) and even stucco.
One of the best ways to control them from damaging the home is to provide a properly sized bird house for them. 
From Wild Birds Unlimited-
“The greatest success is usually achieved by placing the nesting box as near as possible to the spot on the home that the birds have chosen. Mount the box either directly on the home, or on the trunk of a large nearby tree. We recommend filling the nesting box with wood shavings, as this helps satisfy the Flickers desire to peck and provides nesting material.”
https://bend.wbu.com/flicker-damage
http://www.seattleaudubon.org/sas/Learn/SeasonalFacts/NorthernFlicker.aspx
Here is some information on building a proper bird house for Northern Flickers from the Cornell labs of Ornithology.
https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/birds/northern-flicker/
Here are some set of plans for a bird house-
https://www.wildlifecenter.org/sites/default/files/PDFs/Nestbox/Northern%20Flicker%20Nest%20Box%20Plans.pdf
Another issue with the nesting is that after the Northern Flickers leave their homes are often then occupied by rodent who tend to do more damage than what was caused by the birds.
If you find any errors or have additional information that would expand on any code, building standards or manufacturer requirements please let me know.
NCW Home Inspections, LLC is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…
Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service
Coordinator & Instructor- Fundamentals of Home Inspection- Bellingham Technical College
Former WA Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board
www.ncwhomeinspections.com 509-670-9572
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