Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted or Red-shafted subspecies), also known as the Common Flicker.

This feather belongs to a large, brown-backed woodpecker with a signature black crescent on the breast. Northern Flickers are unique among woodpeckers for their frequent ground-foraging behavior. They have a distinctive 'wick-wick-wick' call and a white rump patch visible in flight.

Striking bold black and white/cream banding (barring). The dorsal surface shows dark brownish-black bars against a light background. Note that the rachis appears dark here, which is typical for the distal portion of a tail feather in this species.

Tightly interlocked pennaceous barbs throughout most of the vane to provide rigidity. The base shows a small plumulaceous section. The tip is specialized and stiffened to support the bird while climbing trees.

Stiff, smooth, and slightly glossy on the dark bars. The feather feels remarkably rigid and rugged compared to a songbird feather, due to its function as a structural prop.

Bold horizontal black barring on a light cream/white background, combined with a stiff, pointed tip and reinforced central shaft (rachis).

Open woodlands, forest edges, yards, parks, and agricultural lands. Unlike many woodpeckers, they are frequently seen foraging on the ground for ants.

Widespread throughout North America, from the tree line in Canada and Alaska south to the Gulf of Mexico and Central America. Northern populations are migratory.

Primary cavity nester; their abandoned nesting holes provide essential homes for many other 'secondary' cavity-nesting species like bluebirds and small owls.

Hairy Woodpecker or Downy Woodpecker tail feathers are similar but smaller and usually lack the bold, consistent barring across the entire width of the central retrices as seen here.

The Northern Flicker is one of the few North American woodpeckers that is strongly migratory. They are also known for their 'drumming' on metal objects like chimneys to declare territory.

Good condition. The barbs are mostly intact, though there is slight fraying at the tip and base, suggesting it was naturally molted.