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Gilded Flicker

Colaptes chrysoidesOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Gilded Flicker Breeding Male Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: Dagger, All-purpose
  • Eye Color: Dark red-brown.
  • Head Pattern: Plain, Eyering
  • Crown Color: Brown
  • Forehead Color: Brown
  • Nape Color: Brown
  • Throat Color: Gray
  • Cere color: No Data
Gilded Flicker Breeding Male Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 25-30 cm (10-12 in)
  • Weight: 111 g (3.9 oz)
  • Size: Medium (9 - 16 in)
  • Color Primary: White, Brown
  • Underparts: Black breast, buff with heavy black spotting .
  • Upperparts: Pale brown with fine black barring and white rump.
  • Back Pattern: Spotted or speckled
  • Belly Pattern: Spotted or speckled
  • Breast Pattern: Solid
Gilded Flicker Breeding Male Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Alternates several rapid shallow wing beats with short glides with wings folded to sides.
  • Wingspan Range: 46 cm (18 in)
  • Wing Shape: Pointed-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Forked Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid
  • Upper Tail: Black with white barring.
  • Under Tail: Black with white barring.
  • Leg Color: Gray
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Family
Species Colaptes chrysoides
Length10 - 12 Inches
Wingspan18 Inches

Gilded Flicker

Gilded Flicker: Large woodpecker with dark barred and spotted brown back, brown cap, pale gray face and throat, red moustache stripe, white rump, thick black crescent on upper breast, and black spotted, pale buff underparts. It was named for the gold color of its underwings and tail.

● Song: "wick-er", "kleeee-yer"

● Foraging & Feeding: Gilded Flicker: Eats insects, wild berries, and cactus fruits; forages on the ground.

● Breeding & nesting: Gilded Flicker: Three to five white eggs are laid in a tree or cactus cavity, utility pole, or birdhouse. Incubation ranges from 11 to 14 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Gilded Flicker: Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) has red nape and gray crown; male also has black moustache stripe. Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) has red underwings and gray nape; female also has pale brown moustache stripe.

Flight Pattern

Alternates several rapid shallow wing beats with short glides with wings folded to sides.
Gilded Flicker Breeding Male Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Gilded Flicker: Resident from southeastern California and central Arizona south into Mexico. Preferred habitats include saguaro deserts, cottonwood-lined streams, and towns.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
PopulationFairly common
MigrationNonmigratory
Weight3.9 Ounces