2015 Bonanza Bird #10: Northern Flicker

Today our Birdorable Bonanza: 2015 Advent Edition continues with a New World woodpecker: the Northern Flicker!

Birdorable Northern Flicker

The Northern Flicker is a fairly common and widespread species across its range and can be found across North America. There are two living subspecies: the yellow-shafted and the red-shafted.

Yellow-shafted flickers show yellow under the tail and wings; these are found in the eastern part of the range. Red-shafted flickers are found in the west and show red under the tail and wings.

In the past, these subspecies have been considered completely separate full species. The closely related Gilded Flicker was formerly also considered to be the same species as the Northern Flicker.

Unusual among woodpeckers, the Northern Flicker can often be found feeding on the ground. They like to eat ants and other insects which they forage by probing the earth with their beaks.

Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker
Northern Flicker (yellow-shafted) by wplynn (CC BY-ND 2.0)
Northern Flicker
Northern Flicker (yellow-shafted) by Nick Varvel (CC BY 2.0)
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus cafer)
Red-shafted Northern Flicker by Dominic Sherony (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The Northern Flicker is our 626th Birdorable bird. Be sure to check out our collection of apparel and gifts featuring the Birdorable Northern Flicker!

Our Bonanza continues tomorrow with a small and very colorful flycatcher of South America. Can you guess tomorrow's species?

Cute Northern Flicker Gifts

Comments

???c????? ????? (White-throated Sparrow) on December 10, 2015 at 3:28 PM wrote:
Yep, right! Idk for the next bird...
???c????? ????? (White-throated Sparrow) on December 10, 2015 at 3:29 PM wrote:
And, you should add a "state bird of Alabama" for the yellow shafted form, I'm not from there but I know it's the state bird. And add the gilded flicker later
Louise Warner on February 9, 2017 at 6:34 PM wrote:
u really need the the black gulimot sometimes. OKAY!
Louise Warner on April 9, 2017 at 6:08 PM wrote:
many colored rush tryant
Spurwing Plover on May 21, 2022 at 10:45 PM wrote:
We have the Red Shafted Flicker they have apitite for Ants and will often sit a snap up the ants as they leave the nest
Spurwing Plover on June 5, 2025 at 2:49 AM wrote:
Another name f or the Yellow Shafted Flicker is Yellow Hammer the State Bird of Alabama

Leave a comment

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.
Your email address will not be published
You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

Citizen Science: Great Backyard Bird Count

Contributing to citizen Science projects helps our collective knowledge, but it also helps us as individuals learn. We'd like to highlight some citizen science projects in which families can participate. If you know of a project that...

10 Fun Bird Facts You’ll Want to Tell Everyone

Birds are everywhere — from your backyard to the deepest jungles and highest mountains. Whether you're a casual birdwatcher or a hardcore birder, there’s always something new to learn about these fascinating creatures. Here are ten fun and surprising bird facts that are perfect for sharing...

Gull Week Fun: Coloring Pages

We're celebrating the gulls of the world this week! These social, intelligent birds can be found all over the world. Today we're sharing some fun gull coloring pages! Gulls tend to have a lot of black, white, and grey in their plumage. The breeding plumage Ross's Gull,...

South Africa's National Bird: The Elegant and Endangered Blue Crane

The Blue Crane, with its enchanting grace and striking presence, holds the esteemed title of the national bird of South Africa. This elegant avian animal (Anthropoides paradiseus) is not just a symbol of the nation's fragile, rich biodiversity, but also an emblem deeply woven into the cultural...