Northern Flicker

The Northern Flicker is part of the genus Colaptes which encompasses 12 New-World woodpeckers. There are two living and one extinct subspecies of C. auratus species. The existing sub-species were at one time considered separate species but they commonly interbreed where ranges overlap and are now considered one species by the American Ornithologists Union. Whether or not they are separate species is a well-known example of the species problem.

The Northern Flicker is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

Northern Flickers spend lots of time on the ground, and when in trees they’re often perched upright on horizontal branches instead of leaning against their tails on a trunk. They fly in an up-and-down path using heavy flaps interspersed with glides, like many woodpeckers. More

The Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) is a medium-sized member of the woodpecker family. It is native to most of North America, parts of Central America, Cuba, the Cayman Islands,and is one of the few woodpecker species that migrate. It is the only woodpecker that commonly feeds on the ground. There are over 100 common names for the Northern Flicker. Among them are: Yellowhammer, clape, gaffer woodpecker, harry-wicket, heigh-ho, wake-up, walk-up, wick-up, yarrup, and gawker bird. More

The Northern Flicker is part of the genus Colaptes which encompasses 12 New-World woodpeckers. There are two living and one extinct subspecies of C. auratus species. The existing sub-species were at one time considered separate species but they commonly interbreed where ranges overlap and are now considered one species by the American Ornithologists Union. Whether or not they are separate species is a well-known example of the species problem. More

The Northern Flicker is a bird of open areas and forest edges wherever open ground is available. This species is also known as the Common Flicker, Yellow-shafted Flicker (Eastern morph), and Red-shafted Flicker (Western morph). The closely related Gilded Flicker occurs in the American Southwest, Northwestern Mexico and Baha California. Hybrids occur where Flicker ranges overlap. More

The Northern Flicker is a beautiful bird with easily identifiable markings. They are fairly common throughout the United States with the Red-shafted Flicker to the west and the Yellow-shafted Flicker to the east. Lunch Date! Description - The Northern Flicker is a medium sized bird measuring approximately 12 ½ inches in length with a wing span of 17 to 20 inches. More

Northern Flickers can be found throughout most wooded regions of North America, and they are familiar birds in most suburban environments. They need some open area and do not nest in the middle of dense forests, but they breed in most other forest types. Outside of the breeding season, they also frequent other open areas, including suburban lawns and parks, grassland, sagebrush, and even sand dunes. More

Northern Flickers are found throughout the North American continent from below the tree line in Alaska and Canada to Mexico, Central America, and Cuba. The three subspecies found on the North American continent are Yellow-shafted (east of the Rocky Mountains), the Red-shafted (west of the Rocky Mountains), and the Gilded (in the Southwest). Flickers live in a variety of woodland habitats. More

Northern Flickers can be attracted to your backyard with suet feeders, water, and a few trees and shrubs. The Downy is the most common woodpecker to visit back yards, flickers run a close second. Identification and Pictures - (Colaptes auratus) Northern Flicker There are two types; both are 12 to 14 inches. More

Northern Flicker & Distribution MapNorthern Flickers aka Common Flickers, Yellow Shafted Flickers = Members of the Picidae Family: Sapsuckers Woodpeckers in your Yard: Building A Home for Northern Flickers ... What to do when Woodpeckers become a problem The Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) is a medium-sized member of the woodpecker family. More

The Northern Flicker has a large range, estimated globally at 15,000,000 square kilometers. Native to North and Central America and nearby island nations, this bird prefers forest ecosystems, though it can live on arable or pasture land or in urban areas. The global population of this bird is estimated at 16,000,000 individuals and does not show signs of significant decline that would necessitate inclusion on the IUCN Red List. For this reason, the current evaluation status of the Northern Flicker is Least Concern. More

nesting habits of the northern flicker at National, Iowa, in some boxes so arranged on her barn that she could observe the home life of the birds at close range. More

Washington, the Northern flicker (Colaptes auratus) is probably the most commonly seen and heard. Previously known as the red-shafted flicker, the Northern flicker has a conspicuous white rump patch and salmon-colored wing undersides that are distinctly visible during its slow, bouncy flight. Flickers can also be identified by their loud call that sounds like wake-up, wake-up, wake-up; also a piercing, sharply descending peeahr. More

The northern flicker reaches a height of 12 to 13 inches (30 to 33 cm), with an 18- to 21-inch (45 to 53 cm) wingspan. It has a gray-brown back with dark spots and a red crescent at the nape of the neck. The northern flicker is the only member of the woodpecker species with a brown-colored back. More

Northern Flicker has a grey-brown barred back, and white rump. Male has a tan head, grey crown, red nape, black moustache and a black crescent on the breast. The underparts are light tan with dense black spotting (lower breast, flanks and belly). The tail is black-tipped. Undertail coverts and wing lining are yellow. In flight, we can see its white rump patch and its largely yellow underwing. The bill is strong, straight and chisel-shaped. More

The Northern Flicker is a large woodpecker, measuring about 11 inches in length. The male yellow-shafted has a brown back and wings speckled with black, spotted underparts and a buff colored face. The male also has a gray cap and nape, with a red section on the neck. The breast has a large crescent-shaped black marking. In flight, Yellow-Shafted Flickers have bright yellow wing shafts, and a noticeable white rump. More

Northern Flicker The Northern Flicker is a large bird measuring between 10-14 inches long. The back and wings are brown/tan and black-barred with a whitish or buffy breast with black spots and a wide black band across the breast. Northern Flickers can be found throughout North America in parks, suburbs, farmlands, woodlands, and deserts. Their appearance differs depending on where they live. In the East the bird is know as the yellow-shafted since it has yellow under its wings. More

DESCRIPTION: The northern flicker is Alabama’s state bird where it is often referred to as the “Yellow-hammer.” The name “Yellow-hammer” comes from a term that was applied to a company of young cavalry soldiers from Huntsville. They were called the “yellowhammer company” because of the brilliant yellow bits of cloth on the sleeves, collars, and coattails of their new uniforms. There are two different subspecies of the northern or common flicker: Colaptes auratus auratus (yellow-shafted) and Colaptes auratus cafer (red-shafted). More

Northern Flicker Habitat Model go to: USFWS Gulf of Maine Watershed Habitat Analysis go to: Species Table Feedback: We welcome your suggestions on improving this model! Draft Date: March 2001 Species: Northern flicker, Colaptes auratus, for which five sub-species have been identified. The common or yellow-shafted flicker, Colaptes auratus auratus is described here (Moore 1995). Use of Study Area Resources: Reproduction, wintering. More