Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted or Red-shafted)

The Northern Flicker is a large, distinctive woodpecker known for its brownish body barred with black, a white rump patch visible in flight, and a red or yellow undertone to its wings and tail. They spend a significant amount of time on the ground searching for ants.

Strikingly patterned with bold black round spots or bars on a brownish-grey or buff background, featuring a strong melanin-based dark and light contrast

Pennaceous vane with tightly interlocked barbs and barbicels, smooth and intact condition with no afterfeather visible

Smooth, slightly stiff, matte surface texture typical of protective and aerodynamic body plumage

Distinctive large black rounded spots or dots on a greyish-brown background, unmistakable among North American woodpecker body feathers

Open woodlands, forest edges, timbered areas, woodlots, and suburban parks with scattered trees and snags

Widespread across North America, extending from Alaska and Canada down through the United States to Central America and Cuba

Primary cavity nesters that create holes in trees used subsequently by a wide variety of secondary cavity-nesting birds and mammals

Other woodpecker species such as the Red-bellied Woodpecker or Downy Woodpecker, but their body feathers lack the distinct large polka-dot pattern characteristic of the Northern Flicker

Unlike most woodpeckers, Northern Flickers spend a great deal of time foraging on the ground primarily for ants and beetles, using a specially adapted slightly curved bill.

Good condition with intact barbs and minimal signs of wear or fading, indicating a relatively recent molt