ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Northern Flicker

 Northern Flicker

Northern flicker

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized, mostly black-and-white birds, with strong, sharply pointed bills for chiseling and digging into trees. They drill in search of food (insects and larvae) and to excavate nesting cavaties. As they climb up tree trunks they use their stiff tails as a brace. Their flight is undulating, with the wings folded against the body after each series of flaps. These climbers have strong feet, with two toes facing forward and two backward.


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Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus

At-a-Glance

• Peak Breeding Activity: February-July

• Incubation: 11-14 days

• Clutch Size: 3-10 eggs

• Young Fledge: 25-28 days after hatching

• Typical Foods: ants and other insects
Description
This bird has a gray head and is brown on the back and buff colored underneath. The back and breast are heavily spotted with black. A red patch is apparent on the back of the neck. The best identifying mark is the large white rump patch that shows in flight, as do the yellow underwing linings. Males have a black "mustache."

Habitat and Habits
Northern flickers are found in open country near large trees, in city parks and in small woodlots. They spend more time on the ground than do the other woodpeckers because flickers feed considerably on ground dwelling insects, especially ants. During courtship the males make a loud racket by "drumming" on dead trees. The song suggests the name, a wicka, wicka, wicka or a flicka, flicka, flicka.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
Nests are excavated in dead trees or telephone poles. Both parents incubate the eggs.