Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted or Red-shafted Flicker)

The Northern Flicker is a large, unique woodpecker that spends much of its time foraging on the ground for ants and beetles. Unlike most woodpeckers, they have a brownish, barred back and a spotted breast with a prominent black crescent on the chest. The underparts of the wings and tail show bright yellow or red depending on the subspecies.

Striking pattern featuring a greyish-brown base with dark transverse barring, transitioning to a rich reddish-brown or golden-brown section near the tip, ending in a distinct black subterminal band and pale tip.

Pennaceous at the distal colored tip with interlocked barbs, transitioning to plumulaceous (fluffy) structure near the base.

Smooth and glossy at the pennaceous tip with a soft, downy texture towards the proximal base.

Distinctive combination of transverse black barring on a brownish-grey background, transitioning to rich brown and a bold black terminal or subterminal edge.

Open woodlands, forest edges, woodlots, semi-open country, and suburban parks with scattered trees.

Widespread across North America, extending south into parts of Central America and the Caribbean. Migratory in northern parts of its range.

Primary cavity nesters that create holes used subsequently by numerous other secondary cavity-nesting birds and mammals. They play a vital role in controlling ant populations.

Red-bellied Woodpecker or Downy Woodpecker, though their back patterns generally lack the precise warm barred and banded appearance of the flicker contour feathers.

Northern Flickers are one of the few woodpecker species that are strongly migratory. They have slightly curved bills specialized for probing the ground for insect prey, primarily ants.

Good condition with mostly intact barbs, minor fluffing at the base.