Northern Flicker

Colaptes auratusOrder: PICIFORMESFamily: Woodpeckers (Picidae)

General

Northern Flicker: Medium-sized woodpecker with black-barred brown back, white rump, and black tail. Underparts are black-spotted pale brown with black crescent on breast. Two distinct races exist: Western form (red-shafted) has brown crown, gray face and red moustache stripe, with red-orange underwing and undertail visible in flight; eastern form (yellow-shafted) has gray crown, brown face and throat, red nape patch, and black moustache stripe, with yellow underwing and undertail visible in flight. Females of both races resemble males but lack moustache stripes.

Range and Habitat

Northern Flicker: Resident from Alaska east through Manitoba to Newfoundland and south throughout the U.S. Northernmost birds are migratory. Prefers forest edges and open woodlands approaching savannas.

Listen to Call

Voice Text

"flicker", "wicka-wicka-wicka", "kleeer"

Interesting Facts

Northern Flickers use a drumming technique to attract a mate. Unfortunately for many people, they often practice on the metal flues of fireplaces.
Hybrids between the red-shafted and yellow-shafted subspecies are common where populations overlap.
The yellow-shafted subspecies is the state bird of Alabama.
A group of flickers are collectively known as a "guttering", "menorah", and "Peterson" of flickers.

Author

Gary Owen Dick

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Bird Call Credits: The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Martyn Stewart, http://www.naturesound.org, Redmond, Washington USA. The reuse or copying of bird calls in this database is strictly forbidden.

Northern Flicker

Northern Flicker: Medium woodpecker, black-barred brown back, white rump, black tail. Underparts are black-spotted pale brown with black crescent on breast. Face is gray with brown crown and forehead. Legs and feet are gray. There is a Red-shafted (shown here) and a Yellow-shafted race.

● Song: "flicker", "wicka-wicka-wicka", "kleeer"

● Foraging & Feeding: Northern Flicker: Diet consists primarily of ants; also eats other insects, berries, and fruits; forages in trees, shrubs, and on the ground.

● Breeding & nesting: Northern Flicker: Three to twelve white eggs are laid in a cavity in a tree, utility pole, or birdhouse; usually excavates nest cavities in dead or diseased tree trunks or large branches. Incubation ranges from 11 to 16 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Northern Flicker: Gilded Flicker has red moustache stripe, yellow underwings, and black-spotted underparts.

Flight Pattern

Several rapid wing beats and then a pause with wings folded atsides producing up-and-down flight pattern.

● Range & Habitat: Northern Flicker: Resident from Alaska east through Manitoba to Newfoundland and south throughout the U.S. Northernmost birds are migratory. Prefers forest edges and open woodlands approaching savannas.

^BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester

^Population

^MigrationSome migrate

^Weight2.5 Ounces

Field Guide to Birds of North America