Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted and Red-shafted intergrade), Common Flicker

A medium-sized woodpecker with a brown-barred back and a black crescent on the breast. This feather exhibits the bright 'salmon' red characteristic of the western population's wing and tail undersides.

Salmon-red to deep orange-red on the underside, transitioning to a dark brown or blackish-brown on the upper surface near the tip. This vibrant red/orange color is characteristic of the 'Red-shafted' western subspecies or hybrids.

Densely interlocked pennaceous barbs designed for structural rigidity; the distal end is extremely stiff to support the bird while climbing tree trunks.

Smooth and glossy on the ventral side; stiff and slightly abrasive at the tip due to wear against tree bark.

Distinctive salmon-red rachis and vane; stiff, pointed tip typical of woodpecker tails; asymmetrical flight-vane shape.

Open woodlands, forest edges, yards, and parks; often found foraging on the ground for ants unlike most other woodpeckers.

Common throughout North America; the Red-shafted variant seen here is primarily found in Western North America, from Alaska to Mexico.

Primary cavity nester that provides essential nesting sites for secondary cavity nesters like bluebirds and small owls; significant predator of ground-dwelling ants.

The Yellow-shafted Flicker has yellow instead of red rachises. Gilded Flickers (Colaptes chrysoides) are similar but generally have a more yellow-gold hue and limited range in the Southwest deserts.

Northern Flickers are one of the few woodpecker species that are migratory. They primarily eat ants and beetles, drumming on trees more for communication than for excavation.

Fair to Good. There is significant fraying and separation along the leading edge (emargination area) and the tip shows signs of mechanical wear from use as a prop.