The availability of winter roost sites is a critical component of the habitats used by birds in winter.  Some birds roosts in thick conifers or hardwoods (that retain the leaves in winter). Others use natural cavities or nesting boxes to escape cold, rain, and snow throughout the coldest nights of the year. 

       It is a popular belief that northern flickers invariably roost in natural cavities and nesting boxes.  While they do indeed use them as winter roosts, one study designed to determine the winter roosts used by male northern flickers, found they also roost is some truly odd places.

       The study revealed that during the winter months male northern flickers tend to roost in different locations each night. These roosting sites are typically less than a mile from the place they slept the previous night. Interestingly, over several weeks, all of roosts used by an individual flicker were located in an area less than a half mile in size.

       The research revealed the birds tended to roost out in the open. The types of places chosen by the birds to sleep varied widely.  In addition, of sleeping in natural cavities, they also roosted on the trunks of trees, under the eaves of buildings, under bridges, and even in chimneys.

       Consequently, if you are up late on Christmas Eve, and hear something moving about in your chimney, do not assume it is Santa; it just may be a northern flicker.