Northern Flicker

About

The Northern Flicker is a medium-sized woodpecker native to most of North America. Unlike most woodpeckers, it frequently forages on the ground, primarily feeding on ants and beetles. It is known for its undulating flight pattern and distinctive calls. There are two main forms, the 'Yellow-shafted' in the east and north, and the 'Red-shafted' in the west, which were formerly considered separate species but are now recognized as subspecies of Colaptes auratus.

Size & lifespan

Length

31-35 cm (12-14 in)

Wingspan

42-51 cm (16.5-20 in)

Weight

98-165 g (3.5-5.8 oz)

Lifespan

Up to 9 years in the wild, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 11 years 7 months.

Diet

Insectivore, primarily myrmecophagous (ant-eating), but also consumes other insects, berries, and seeds.

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Overall brownish plumage with black barring on the back and wings, and a black crescent on the upper breast. The underparts are whitish with black spots. The rump is conspicuously white, visible in flight. The underside of the wings and tail feathers are either bright yellow (Yellow-shafted form) or salmon red (Red-shafted form).

Beak shape

Slightly downcurved, chisel-tipped, dark gray to black beak, typical of woodpeckers but less robust than many other species, adapted for probing soil and wood.

Eye color

Dark brown

Leg color

Grayish-black

Distinguishing features

White rump patch visible in flight, undulating flight, ground foraging behavior, and the distinctive color of the underwing and undertail feathers (yellow or red).

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles resemble adults but have duller plumage, less distinct markings, and often more extensive barring on the underparts. The malar stripe in young males may be less prominent or appear later.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes. Plumage may appear slightly duller due to wear before molting.

Sexual dimorphism

Males have a malar stripe (mustache mark) that is black in Yellow-shafted forms and red in Red-shafted forms. Females lack this stripe. Otherwise, sexes are similar in plumage.

How to identify

1. 1

   Plumage Coloration

   Look for the brownish body with black barring, black breast crescent, and spotted underparts. Crucially, note the color of the underwings and undertail: bright yellow in the east/north (Yellow-shafted) or salmon red in the west (Red-shafted).

2. 2

   White Rump

   A prominent white patch on the rump is highly visible during its undulating flight, a key field mark.

3. 3

   Malar Stripe (Mustache Mark)

   Males have a distinct stripe extending from the base of the bill: black in Yellow-shafted forms, red in Red-shafted forms. Females lack this stripe.

4. 4

   Ground Foraging

   Observe its behavior. Unlike most woodpeckers, Northern Flickers spend a significant amount of time hopping on the ground, probing for ants.

5. 5

   Vocalizations

   Listen for its loud, 'laughing' call ('wick-wick-wick') or a sustained 'kew-kew-kew' call. Also, listen for its drumming, which is often slower and more deliberate than other woodpeckers.

6. 6

   Flight Pattern

   Its characteristic undulating flight, with periods of flapping followed by short glides, is a good identifier.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Forests, woodlands, open country with scattered trees, suburban areas, parks, and gardens.

Geographic range

Widespread across most of North America, from Alaska and Canada south through the United States and into parts of Mexico and Central America. The Yellow-shafted form occupies the eastern and northern parts of the range, while the Red-shafted form is found in the west.

Elevation range

Sea level up to 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) in mountainous regions.

Preferred environments

Prefers open woodlands, forest edges, savannas, and suburban areas with mature trees and open ground for foraging. They are less common in dense, unbroken forests.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal.

Feeding habits

Primarily feeds on ants, which it extracts from the ground using its long, barbed tongue. It also eats beetles, other insects, and in fall and winter, consumes berries and seeds. It often forages on the ground, hopping rather than walking, and uses its bill to probe soil and rotten wood.

Social behavior

Generally solitary or found in pairs during the breeding season. May form small, loose flocks during migration or in winter at abundant food sources.

Flight pattern

Distinctive undulating or 'bouncy' flight, characterized by several rapid wing beats followed by a short glide with wings tucked against the body, causing it to drop slightly before the next series of wing beats.

Migration pattern

Northern populations are migratory, moving south for the winter. Southern populations are largely resident. Migration occurs during the day, often in loose flocks.

Territoriality

Highly territorial during the breeding season, defending nesting and foraging areas. Males drum on resonant surfaces to announce territory and attract mates.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Typically April to July, varying by latitude.

Nesting habits

Nests in cavities excavated in dead or decaying trees, utility poles, or fence posts. They may also use existing cavities or nest boxes. Both sexes participate in excavation.

Clutch size

Usually 5-8 eggs, but can range from 3 to 12.

Egg description

3-12 (typically 5-8) pure white, smooth, glossy eggs.

Incubation period

11-14 days, primarily by the female, but male also assists.

Fledging period

25-28 days after hatching. Young are fed by both parents.

Parental care

Both parents incubate eggs and feed the nestlings. After fledging, the young remain dependent on parents for several weeks.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Look on the ground. Unlike most woodpeckers, flickers spend a lot of time foraging on the ground. Scan lawns, open fields, and forest floors.
2. Listen for calls and drumming. Their loud calls are distinctive, and their drumming, while less rapid than some woodpeckers, is a good indicator of their presence, especially in spring.
3. Watch for undulating flight. Their characteristic bouncy flight pattern with a visible white rump is a strong visual cue, especially when flying between trees.
4. Check tree trunks and branches. While they forage on the ground, they still roost and nest in trees, so look for them perched or clinging to vertical surfaces.

Similar species

Quick facts

Primary Food Source:

Ants

Distinctive Feature:

White rump patch in flight

Flight Pattern:

Undulating or 'bouncy'

Forms/Subspecies:

Yellow-shafted and Red-shafted

Nesting:

Cavity nester in dead wood

Fun facts

• Northern Flickers have an exceptionally long tongue, up to 5 inches, which they can extend far beyond their bill to extract ants from deep crevices.
• The 'Yellow-shafted' and 'Red-shafted' forms interbreed in a narrow hybrid zone in the Great Plains, producing offspring with mixed characteristics.
• They are one of the few woodpecker species that regularly forage on the ground, often seen hopping across lawns.
• Flickers often drum on metal objects like streetlights or gutters, not just trees, to attract mates and declare territory because these surfaces produce a louder, more resonant sound.
• Their scientific name, Colaptes auratus, means 'golden chisel-pecker,' referring to their bill and the golden (yellow) underwing color of the eastern form.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Piciformes

Family

Picidae

Genus

Colaptes

Species

Colaptes auratus

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