Northern Flicker Bird Facts (Colaptes auratus)

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.

The Northern Flicker can be found in Woodland habitats.

The Northern Flicker can be found in Garden habitats.

The Northern Flicker is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

The Northern Flicker is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Northern Flicker can be found in Urban habitats.

The Northern Flicker can be found in Farmland habitats.

The Northern Flicker is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Northern Flicker is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Northern Flicker is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Northern Flicker is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Northern Flicker is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Northern Flicker is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Northern Flicker. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Cayman Islands Cuba Saint Pierre and Miquelon United States of America

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Canada

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Mexico

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Northern Flicker demonstrates high agility with its undulating flight pattern and ability to manoeuvre through woodlands. Its capacity to forage both on the ground and in trees, as well as its skill in excavating nesting cavities, further showcases its nimbleness.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not the strongest woodpecker, the Northern Flicker possesses considerable strength for its size. Its ability to drum on trees and even metal objects, along with its powerful excavating skills for nest-building, indicates robust muscular strength.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Northern Flickers exhibit remarkable adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats from sea level to 2,100 metres elevation. Their varied diet, ability to feed both on the ground and in trees, and capacity to live in urban areas demonstrate high adaptability to different environments and food sources.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Northern Flickers display moderate aggressiveness, particularly during breeding season. Their territorial drumming and vocalizations indicate a willingness to defend their territory. However, they're not known for excessive aggression compared to some other bird species.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Northern Flicker's endurance is evidenced by its partial migratory behaviour, with some populations undertaking long-distance flights. Their ability to forage extensively, sometimes consuming up to 1,000 ants per minute, and their persistent drumming behaviour also suggest good endurance.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Northern Flicker typically lives for 2 to 5 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 9.2 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

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.

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

Main predators include hawks, falcons, owls, and occasionally snakes and squirrels that raid nests.

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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