Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted or Red-shafted)

The Northern Flicker is a large, terrestrial woodpecker with a brownish barred back and a spotted belly with a black crescent on the chest. In flight, they reveal a bright white rump patch and colorful underwings (yellow in the East, red in the West). Their flight is deeply undulating, and they are known for their loud 'wick-wick-wick' call.

Boldly bicolored. The distal half is solid dark brownish-black (melanistic), while the proximal half of the inner vane features distinct, large white spots or 'windows'. The calamus and proximal rachis show the diagnostic yellow or salmon-red tint (depending on the subspecies).

Densely interlocked pennaceous barbs providing a rigid and airtight surface for flight. The inner vane shows well-organized hooklets (barbicels), while the base shows a small amount of plumulaceous (downy) structure near the calamus.

Smooth, stiff, and somewhat glossy on the dorsal surface. The leading edge is particularly rigid to resist air pressure, while the ventral side has a silkier, matte finish with a prominent umbilical groove.

Diagnostic yellow or red rachis (shaft), bold white spotting on the inner vane of a dark primary, and extreme asymmetry.

Open woodlands, forest edges, parklands, yards, and agricultural fields. Unlike most woodpeckers, they are frequently found foraging on the ground.

Common across North America, from the treeline in Canada and Alaska south to the Gulf Coast and Mexico. Northern populations are migratory.

Primary cavity nester; they create holes that are later used by dozens of other species (owls, bluebirds, nuthatches). They also control ant and beetle populations.

Pileated Woodpecker (much larger/all dark), Gila Woodpecker (different barring), and various Hawks (lack the colored rachis and specific spot pattern).

The color of the wing shafts is derived from carotenoid pigments in their diet. Also, Northern Flickers are unique among woodpeckers for their primary diet of ants, which they lap up with a long, barbed tongue.

The feather appears to be in good condition with minor wear at the tip. It was likely lost during a natural post-breeding molt cycle.