Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted or Red-shafted)

The Northern Flicker is a large, unique woodpecker that spends much of its time on the ground foraging for ants and beetles. Unlike most woodpeckers, they have brownish bodies barred with black and a white rump patch that is conspicuous in flight. This breast contour feather showcases their classic spotted underparts, a key feature for camouflage against forest floors and tree bark.

White to off-white background with distinct round to teardrop-shaped black spots characteristic of the underparts, and a pale whitish-yellowish rachis

Mostly pennaceous upper half with loosely interlocking barbs, transitioning to plumulaceous downy structure at the base with a prominent afterfeather

Soft yet relatively firm at the tip, matte finish, fluffy and downy at the base

Round or teardrop-shaped black spot near the rounded tip on a white or pale buff background, paired with a fluffy base and distinct afterfeather

Open woodlands, forest edges, clearings, suburban parks, and yards with scattered trees and snags for nesting and foraging

Widespread across North America, extending into parts of Central America and the Caribbean, ranging from Alaska and Canada down to Mexico

Acting as a primary cavity excavator, the Northern Flicker creates nest holes used by dozens of secondary cavity-nesting birds and mammals. They also help control ant populations in forest and garden ecosystems

Downy Woodpecker or Hairy Woodpecker, though their body feathers generally lack the distinct, bold round black spotting found on the underparts of the Northern Flicker

Northern Flickers are one of the few North American woodpeckers that are strongly migratory in the northern parts of their range. They have an exceptionally long, barbed tongue that can extend nearly two inches beyond the bill tip to scoop up ants.

Good condition, clean vane with intact barbs and a well-preserved tip showing minimal wear