Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted form)

The Northern Flicker is a large, distinctive woodpecker with brownish upperparts barred with black and a white rump patch that is striking in flight. Yellow-shafted forms feature brilliant yellow undersides to the wings and tail, contrasting with a red nape and a black bib.

Vivid rich brown basal section with fine black barring, transitioning into a bold solid black subterminal band, and a pale greyish-white tip.

Tightly interlocked pennaceous barbs with strong hooklets, rigid and durable to withstand wear from propping against tree bark.

Stiff, smooth, and matte finish with a rigid vane designed for mechanical support during climbing.

Distinctive tri-colored pattern featuring a warm brown barred base, a sharp solid black band, and a pale greyish-white tip.

Open woodlands, forest edges, yards, parks, and semi-open country with scattered trees and snags.

Widespread across North America, ranging from Alaska and Canada down through the United States and into Mexico.

Key ecosystem engineer; their abandoned nest cavities provide crucial nesting sites for dozens of secondary cavity-nesting species, including bluebirds, owls, and small mammals.

Red-shafted Flicker, which features reddish-pink tones on the shaft and undersides rather than yellow, though tail patterns are otherwise very similar.

Unlike most other woodpeckers, Northern Flickers spend a great deal of time foraging on the ground, specifically targeting ants, which make up the vast majority of their diet.

Good condition with intact barbs and minimal fraying at the tip, showing slight natural wear typical of a molted rectrix.

Northern Illinois