Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
Visual Identification
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.
Size
Length
28cm to 31cm
Wingspan
42cm to 51cm
Weight
110g to 160g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Black White
Secondary Colour
Red Yellow
Beak Colour
Grey
Leg Colour
Grey
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 2,100 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird 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.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
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.
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.
Vocalisation
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 and Status
Global Conservation Status
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
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
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.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Colaptes auratus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22726404A94921271.
View source - 3
report, 2007: Breeding Bird Survey and/or Christmas Bird Count
- 2
website, 2022: Partners in Flight
View source - 4
website: Longevity Records Of North American Birds. Version 2023.1
View source
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