Earthpalz

The Northern Flicker is a common woodpecker that forages primarily on the ground and lives in most wooded regions of North America. The yellow-shafted variety is common in the east and northern parts of North America, and the red-shafted form is found in the west.

The Northern Flicker is medium in size, approximately 12.4 inches in length, with a 20 inch wingspan. Adults are brown with black bars on the back and wings. The yellow-shafted Northern Flicker has bright yellow on the undersides of the wing and tail fathers. Th red shafted Norther Flicker has bright red on the undersides of the wing and tail feathers.

The Northern Flicker’s diet consists mainly of insects, but they also eat fruits, berries, seeds and nuts. Ants can make up to 45% of their diets.

The Northern Flicker is one of the few species of wood-peckers that migrate. They are well adapted for human habitats, commonly breeding in urban as well as suburban and rural environments.

The Northern Flicker’s Most familiar vocalization is “wik wik ” or “kick kick”, heard during spring time pair formation. They also communicate through drumming sounds produced when they rapidly hit wood with their bills.

The yellow-shafted Northern Flicker is the state bird of Alabama.