Northern Flicker (Red-shafted subspecies)

This is a vibrant tail feather from a Northern Flicker of the Red-shafted variety. Known for their unique feeding habits, flickers are large woodpeckers that spend much time on the ground. This feather displays the brilliant carotenoid-based red color that appears as a flash of light when the bird takes flight.

The dorsal side shows a uniform, vibrant salmon-pink to reddish-orange color on the inner vane and rachis. The base of the rachis is translucent yellow-white, transitioning to deep red-orange.

Tightly interlocked and pennaceous throughout most of the vane to provide rigidity; the base of the feather shows some loose, plumulaceous barbs near the calamus.

Stiff, smooth, and glossy. The surface is designed for durability against the abrasive texture of tree bark.

Deep salmon-red rachis, stiffened tail structure for propping, and lack of horizontal barring (distinguishing it from the wing feathers).

Open woodlands, forest edges, suburban yards, and parks; often found foraging on the ground for ants rather than drumming on trees.

Western North America, ranging from Alaska and western Canada down through the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Coast into Mexico.

Flickers are primary cavity nesters, creating holes that are later used by dozens of other species (secondary cavity nesters) like bluebirds and owls.

The Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker (which has yellow shafts) and the Gilded Flicker (found in desert regions, showing a more golden-yellow hue).

The Northern Flicker is one of the few North American woodpeckers that is strongly migratory. Their tongue can extend two inches past the tip of the beak to reach ants inside tunnels.

Excellent condition; the tip is sharp and shows minimal wear, suggesting it was freshly molted. No signs of parasites or fault bars are visible.