Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted or Red-shafted)

The Northern Flicker is a large, unique woodpecker that spends a significant amount of time on the ground foraging for ants and beetles. Unlike most woodpeckers, they have a brownish barred back and a spotted belly, with a striking white rump visible in flight.

Distinctive barred pattern with bold black bands and spots on a grayish-white or buff background, featuring a dark central rachis.

Pennaceous vane structure with tightly interlocked barbs and barbicels, providing rigidity. The tip shows slight wear typical of contact with bark.

Stiff, smooth, and matte finish designed for mechanical durability against rough tree bark.

Bold black-and-white barring, stiffened rachis designed for tail-propping, and distinctive pointed tip.

Open woodlands, forest edges, suburban areas, parks, and agricultural fields with scattered trees and snags.

Widespread across North America, extending from Alaska down through the United States to Central America.

Primary cavity excavator that creates crucial nesting habitat for secondary cavity nesters such as bluebirds, swallows, and small owls.

Red-bellied Woodpecker and Downy Woodpecker, though their tail feathers differ significantly in size and barring patterns.

Northern Flickers are one of the few migratory woodpeckers in North America and have specialized barbed tongues capable of extending up to two inches beyond their bill to extract ants.

Good condition with minor wear at the extreme tip, typical of a molted rectrix found in the field.