Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted or Red-shafted)

A unique ground-foraging woodpecker with a barred back, spotted belly, and a black 'crescent' on the chest. Known for its loud 'wick-wick-wick' call and bright underwing flashes.

Brownish-grey base color with series of prominent, oval-shaped pale/creamy spots on the inner vane. The rachis (shaft) appears pale or yellow-toned in this lighting.

Pennaceous and tightly interlocked for aerodynamic flight; stiffened rachis typical of woodpeckers used for structural support.

Relatively stiff and smooth; the surface is matte with a slightly waxy feel to provide water resistance.

Bold oval spotting on the inner vane and a stiff, slightly curved rachis characteristic of the Picidae family.

Open woodlands, forest edges, yards, and parks; frequently seen foraging on the ground for ants.

Widespread across North America, from the treeline in Canada and Alaska south to the Gulf of Mexico and Central America.

Primary cavity nester; their abandoned holes provide essential housing for many other species of birds and mammals.

Other woodpeckers like the Hairy Woodpecker have similar spotting, but the specific brownish-tan hue and size are diagnostic of the Northern Flicker.

Unlike most woodpeckers, Northern Flickers prefer to hunt for ants on the ground rather than drumming on trees for larvae.

Fair to Good. The tip shows significant wear and fraying, suggesting this feather was molted toward the end of its natural cycle.