Northern Flicker (Red-shafted), Common Flicker
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Piciformes, Family: Picidae, Genus: Colaptes, Species: Colaptes auratus · Picidae (Woodpeckers) · Tail feather (Rectrix), likely one of the outer pairs (R4-R5).
Species
Colaptes auratus (cafer group)
Feather Type
Tail feather (Rectrix), likely one of the outer pairs (R4-R5).
Family
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
Shape
Highly asymmetrical and tapered; the tip is acutely pointed and stiff, a specialized shape used as a prop against tree trunks.
Size
Approximately 4 to 5.5 inches in length. This matches the standard range for outer rectrices of large woodpeckers like the Northern Flicker.
Rarity
Common; widely distributed and frequently observed in appropriate habitats across its range.
Color & Pattern
Salmon-orange to reddish-orange shaft and basal barbs, transitioning into a dark espresso or blackish tip. This specific hue identifies the 'Red-shafted' western subspecies group.
Barb Structure
Pennaceous; the barbs are tightly interlocked and exceptionally stiff to handle the mechanical stress of bracing against bark. Plumulaceous fluff is minimal at the base.
Texture & Surface
Very stiff and glossy. The surface has a waxy sheen that aids in water shedding and reduces wear when the bird leans back on its tail.
Description
A medium-to-large woodpecker with a brown-barred back and a black crescent on the breast. This feather comes from the western 'Red-shafted' form, which is distinguished from the eastern 'Yellow-shafted' form by the brilliant red-orange underwing and undertail surfaces.
Key Features
Oversized, vibrating-orange rachis; acutely pointed, stiff tip (stiffened rectrix); high-contrast black terminal band.
Habitat
Open woodlands, forest edges, suburban parks, and semi-open landscapes with available nesting snags or telephone poles.
Geographic Range
Common across western North America, from Alaska and western Canada south through the United States to Mexico. Migrates from northernmost areas in winter.
Condition Notes
Good; shows slight wear at the tip consistent with the bird’s mechanical use of the tail for climbing. The color is bright, suggesting it is a relatively fresh molt.
Interesting Facts
Unlike most woodpeckers, Northern Flickers spend a significant amount of time on the ground foraging for ants, which make up a large portion of their diet.
Ecological Role
Primary cavity nester; their abandoned holes provide essential nesting habitat for numerous other bird and mammal species that cannot excavate their own.
Similar Species
Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker (distinguished by yellow shafts) and Gilded Flicker (found in desert Southwest, with lighter yellow-orange hues).