Species Profile
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
Northern Flicker
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Yellow-shafted Flicker, Red-shafted Flicker
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Appearance
The Northern Flicker is a striking woodpecker with a brown-spotted back, black-scalloped underparts, and a distinctive black bib. Its wings and tail feathers can be yellow or red, depending on the subspecies.
Males have a red or black moustachial stripe, absent in females. Juveniles resemble adults but have less distinct markings and may lack the bib.
Eastern birds are called Yellow-shafted Flickers because they have yellow plumage under their wings and tail. Western birds differ by having red feathers beneath their wings and tail.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- Red
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Grey
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Northern Flickers inhabit open woodlands, forest edges, and urban areas across North America. They're found from Alaska to Central America and from coast to coast in the United States and Canada.
While some populations in northern regions migrate south for winter, many in the southern and western United States and along the Pacific coast are year-round residents.
Distribution
Diet
Northern Flickers primarily feed on ants and beetles, using their long, barbed tongues to extract insects from the ground. They also consume fruits, seeds, and occasionally small vertebrates.
Their diet varies seasonally, with more plant matter consumed in winter. They'll occasionally visit bird feeders for sunflower seeds and suet.
Behaviour
Northern Flickers often forage on the ground, probing for insects with their slightly curved bills. They have a distinctive undulating flight pattern and are known for their territorial drumming on trees, metal objects, and even buildings.
Calls & Sounds
The Northern Flicker's most recognizable call is a loud, clear 'klee-yer' that carries far. They also produce a softer 'wicka-wicka-wicka' sound during courtship or territorial disputes. Their drumming is rapid and steady, lasting about a second.
Nesting & Breeding
Northern Flickers form monogamous pairs and breed once annually, typically from April to July. Males perform displays and call to attract females.
Both sexes excavate nests in dead or diseased tree trunks, often 6-15 feet above ground. Females lay 5-8 white eggs in the bare cavity.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 11-12 days. Nestlings fledge after 25-28 days but may return to the nest for several weeks.
Conservation
While listed as Least Concern, Northern Flicker populations have declined by about 49% since 1966. Habitat loss, competition with European Starlings for nesting cavities, and pesticide use affecting their insect prey are primary concerns.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Northern Flickers on the ground in open areas near trees
- Listen for their loud, piercing call and rhythmic drumming
- Check for their distinctive white rump patch when in flight
- In the eastern US, watch for yellow wing and tail feathers; in the west, look for red
Did You Know?
- Northern Flickers can lick up to 1,000 ants per minute with their long, sticky tongues.
- They are one of the few woodpecker species that frequently feed on the ground.
- The red or yellow coloration in their feathers comes from pigments in the berries they eat.
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