The northern flicker or common flicker is a medium-sized bird of the woodpecker family. It is native to most of North America, parts of Central America, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands, and is one of the few woodpecker species that migrate. Over 100 common names for the northern flicker are known, including yellowhammer, clape, gaffer woodpecker, harry-wicket, heigh-ho, wake-up, walk-up, wick-up, yarrup, and gawker bird. Many of these names derive from attempts to imitate some of its calls.
Region
North and Central America
Typical Environment
Found across most of Canada and the United States, south through parts of Mexico, Central America, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands. Prefers open woodlands, forest edges, riparian zones, parks, and suburban areas with scattered trees. Frequently uses meadows, pastures, and lawns for ground foraging. Nests in tree cavities they excavate themselves or sometimes in posts and structures.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3000 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Northern flickers are unusual woodpeckers that often feed on the ground, especially on ants and beetles. They show striking white rumps in flight and have either yellow or red wing and tail shafts depending on region. The yellow-shafted (east) and red-shafted (west) forms meet and intergrade across central North America. Like other woodpeckers, they drum on trees and even metal to communicate during the breeding season.
Male on the ground, in New York
Hybrid male, in Alberta, Canada. This bird has a red mustache like the red-shafted group, and a red nape like the yellow-shafted group. The face and throat are intermediate between the gray color of the former and the peach color of the latter.
C. a. luteus foraging on the ground, in Minnesota
C. a. luteus eating suet at a feeder, in New York
Connections between breeding and wintering location of northern flickers
Temperament
alert and active
Flight Pattern
undulating flight with strong, bounding bursts
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs outside the breeding season; small loose groups may form at rich food sources. Monogamous pairs excavate a cavity and both parents incubate and feed the young. Drumming and conspicuous calling advertise territories, and courtship includes wing-flicking and head-bobbing displays.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Most frequent call is a loud, ringing kleer or clear wick-a call given repeatedly. Also produces a rapid series of wicka-wicka notes and characteristic drumming on resonant surfaces. Calls carry well across open habitats.
Plumage
Brownish-tan overall with dark barring above and bold black spots below, plus a prominent black crescent on the chest. Shows a bright white rump in flight and colored wing and tail shafts (yellow in the east, red in the west). Head is grayish with a brown crown; males typically show a contrasting mustache stripe.
Diet
Primarily eats ants and beetles, often gleaned from the ground using a long, sticky, barbed tongue. Also takes termites, caterpillars, and other invertebrates, and supplements with fruits and seeds, especially in winter. Will visit ant mounds and probe soil, logs, and leaf litter.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in open ground within or near woodlands, including forest edges, prairies with scattered trees, orchards, parks, golf courses, and yards. Often forages on lawns and along trails and roadsides where insects are abundant.
