Copyright © 2004 - 2008 Whatbird.com
Birdman Mel's Backyard Tips
Overview
Northern Flicker: Medium woodpecker, black-barred brown back, white rump, black tail. Underparts are black-spotted pale brown with black crescent on breast. Face is gray with brown crown and forehead. Legs and feet are gray. There is a Red-shafted (shown here) and a Yellow-shafted race.
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.
Topo Map:
Tree-clinging-like Body
Listen to Call
Similar Sounding
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.
Bird Term Glossary
Author
Gary Owen Dick
Related Birds
Belted Kingfisher
Gila Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Gilded Flicker
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Arizona Woodpecker
Green Kingfisher
Ringed Kingfisher
.