Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker

The Northern Flicker is a large, brownish woodpecker with a black bib and barred back. The Yellow-shafted variety is named for the brilliant yellow flash seen in the wings and tail during flight. These birds are known for their 'wick-a-wick-a' call and their unique habit of searching for ants in the grass.

Distinctive bright yellow/golden-yellow rachis (shaft) and base of the barbs. The upper portions of the vane are dark brown to brownish-black with large, oval buffy-white or pale cream-colored spots along the trailing edge.

Strictly pennaceous (tightly interlocked barbs) for aerodynamic efficiency; presence of hooklets providing a cohesive vane. The base shows minimal plumulaceous (downy) barbs.

Relatively stiff and smooth texture with a slight waxy gloss. The feather is durable, designed to withstand the stress of rapid flight and occasional foraging in tree cavities.

Electric yellow rachis, dark brown vane color, and large, evenly spaced pale spots on the inner vane; highly diagnostic for the Yellow-shafted subspecies.

Open woodlands, forest edges, suburban parks, backyards, and occasionally agricultural fields; unlike most woodpeckers, they are frequently seen foraging on the ground.

Common across Eastern and Central North America, from the treeline in Canada and Alaska, south through the United States to the Gulf Coast.

Primary cavity nester that creates homes for many other species; they are also significant predators of ants and wood-boring beetle larvae.

Red-shafted Northern Flicker (has reddish rachis), Gilded Flicker (distinctive to the Southwest, smaller, paler brown), and other large woodpeckers like Pileated (lack the yellow shafting).

The Yellow-shafted variety (East) and Red-shafted variety (West) interbreed frequently in a 'hybrid zone' that runs through the Great Plains, resulting in birds with orange-tinted feathers.

Good condition; the vane is mostly intact though there is some minor separation of the barbs at the tip (fraying). No signs of parasitic damage or heavy bleaching.