Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker

The Northern Flicker is a unique, medium-sized woodpecker that spends much of its time on the ground foraging for ants. It features brownish barred plumage, a white rump patch visible in flight, and striking yellow or red underwings and shaft tones.

Vibrant golden-yellow shaft and inner web contrasting with dark grey-to-black tips and spotting along the outer edges.

Pennaceous vane with tightly interlocked barbs along the upper portion, transitioning to a slightly plumulaceous (fluffy) base.

Smooth, firm, and glossy along the pennaceous web, with a softer, downy texture near the calamus base.

Brilliant golden-yellow rachis and inner web combined with dark terminal spots.

Open woodlands, forest edges, clearings, parks, and suburban areas with scattered trees.

Widespread across North America, extending from Alaska and Canada down through the United States to Central America.

Acts as a primary cavity excavator, creating nesting homes used by many secondary cavity nesters such as bluebirds, owls, and small mammals.

Red-shafted Northern Flicker, which features reddish-orange shafts and underwing linings instead of yellow.

Unlike most woodpeckers, Northern Flickers specialize in eating ants and have an extraordinarily long, sticky tongue that can extend up to two inches beyond the tip of the bill.

Good condition with minor fraying at the base and intact upper barbs.