Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted or Red-shafted subspecies)

The Northern Flicker is a large, brown woodpecker with a black bib and spotted belly. In flight, it reveals a brilliant flash of color under the wings and tail (yellow in the east, red in the west) and a bright white rump patch.

Salmon-pink to reddish-orange shaft (rachis) and underside, typical of the 'Red-shafted' western population. The dorsal surface is brownish-tan with subtle dark barring typical of Northern Flicker wings.

Densely packed pennaceous barbs at the distal end, transitioning to more plumulaceous (downy) barbs near the superior umbilicus (base). The vane is stiff, typical of flight feathers.

Relatively stiff and smooth. The surface has a slight matte finish on the vane, while the rachis has a glossy, waxy appearance from the concentrated pigments.

Distinctive reddish-orange rachis color and warm tan-brown vane coloration. The rigidity and size are diagnostic for a large woodpecker.

Open woodlands, edges of forests, parks, and suburban yards. Unlike most woodpeckers, they are frequently seen foraging on the ground for ants.

Common across North America; the Red-shafted variant is primarily found in the West (from the Rockies to the Pacific), while Yellow-shafted is in the East.

Primary cavity nester; they create holes that are later utilized by many other species (bluebirds, owls, squirrels). They are also major predators of ants.

Gilded Flicker (shafts are yellow, range is limited to desert Southwest) and Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker (shafts are bright yellow).

Northern Flickers are among the few woodpeckers that are migratory. They also have specialized tongues that can extend two inches beyond their beak to reach ants inside tunnels.

Fair to Good. The tip shows significant wear or 'notching' and the barbs are starting to separate (unzip), suggesting it was naturally molted after substantial use.