
Two distinct races of this large woodpecker occur in North America. Yellow-shafted Flicker predominates in the east and north, Red-shafted Flicker in the west. Intergrades between these two subspecies are common in the central part of the continent. Upperparts are golden-brown with black barring. The breast and belly are buffy with black spots and a black crescent across the upper breast. In flight, the white rump is obvious. Yellow-shafted Flickers have a brown face and a gray nape with a small red crescent. Males show a bold black malar stripe. In flight, the undersides of the wings and tail are yellow, as are the flight feather shafts, visible from above. Red-shafted Flickers have a gray face with a little brown on the front part of the crown, and no marks on the nape. Males show a red malar stripe. In flight, the undersides of the wings and tail are a deep salmon pink, with red feather shafts.
Length: 32 (cm) Wingspan: 48 (cm)
Voice:
Call is a piercing TEEE-ew. Also a series of WICK-a WICK-a WICK-a WICK-a notes.
Habitat:
Open woodlands, forest edges, riparian woods, residential areas.
Behavior:
In residential areas, often drums on metal objects such as chimney caps, gutters, and light fixtures.
Feeding:
Forages on the ground, primarily for ants. Also eats fruit and seeds in winter. Commonly visits bird feeders.
Field Notes
Expanded Life History
Feed Ecology And Diet | Contribute Content |
Nesting Habits | Contribute Content |
Migration Status | Contribute Content |
Conservation Status | Contribute Content |
Local Sites to Spot | Contribute Content |
Abundance Status | Contribute Content |
Adult Male Description | Contribute Content |
Adult Female Description | Contribute Content |
ITIS Taxonomic Number | Contribute Content |
Sonogram | Contribute Content |
Courtship | Contribute Content |
Reproductive Characteristics | Contribute Content |
Relationship to Humans | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Size & Shape | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Color & Pattern | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Habitat | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Behavior | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Wingspan | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Weight | Contribute Content |
Breeding | Contribute Content |
Cool Facts | Contribute Content |
Local Knowledge | Contribute Content |
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Sightings
Date | Submitted By | Count |
---|---|---|
09/25/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/11/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/11/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/04/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/04/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/14/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/14/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/07/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/07/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/24/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/24/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/17/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/17/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/10/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/10/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
Recent Activity
Activity | Date & Time |
---|---|
Caleb Arrison added Northern Flicker to their Bercosky Site smart list | 5/25/2012 at 12:02PM |
Grant Canterbury added Northern Flicker to their Central Gladstone smart list | 11/26/2011 at 2:31PM |
Jacob Parks added Northern Flicker to their NE Cleveland smart list | 11/02/2011 at 12:34AM |
Jen Sanford added Northern Flicker to their Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge smart list | 10/30/2011 at 9:15AM |
Dan Mitchell added Northern Flicker to their Mitchell's Backyard, Tigard, Oregon smart list | 7/23/2011 at 7:29AM |
Bjorn Hinrichs added Northern Flicker to their Home - Yard List smart list | 3/31/2011 at 10:03PM |