General

Northern Flicker: Medium-sized woodpecker with black-barred brown back, white rump, and black tail. Underparts are black-spotted pale brown with black crescent on breast. Two distinct races exist: Western form (red-shafted) has brown crown, gray face and red moustache stripe, with red-orange underwing and undertail visible in flight; eastern form (yellow-shafted) has gray crown, brown face and throat, red nape patch, and black moustache stripe, with yellow underwing and undertail visible in flight. Females of both races resemble males but lack moustache stripes.

Range and Habitat

Northern Flicker: Resident from Alaska east through Manitoba to Newfoundland and south throughout the U.S. Northernmost birds are migratory. Prefers forest edges and open woodlands approaching savannas.

Listen to Call

Voice Text

"flicker", "wicka-wicka-wicka", "kleeer"

Interesting Facts

 Northern Flickers use a drumming technique to attract a mate. Unfortunately for many people, they often practice on the metal flues of fireplaces.

 Hybrids between the red-shafted and yellow-shafted subspecies are common where populations overlap.

 The yellow-shafted subspecies is the state bird of Alabama.

 A group of flickers are collectively known as a "guttering", "menorah", and "Peterson" of flickers.

Author

Gary Owen Dick

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