Birds come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and personalities. While some chirp delightful morning songs, others squawk raucously. One bird’s vocalization stands out for its unusual and unmistakable sound: the laughter-like call of the Northern Flicker.
What is the Northern Flicker?
The Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) is a large woodpecker found widely across North America. It is a brownish bird with black spots, a black crescent on its chest, and brilliant red or yellow underwings that flash during flight. The Northern Flicker prefers open woodlands and forest edges. It constructs nests in tree cavities but also readily uses man-made structures. It often forages on the ground, probing the soil for ants and other insects with its long, slightly curved bill.
The Northern Flicker is a member of the woodpecker family Picidae. With around 200 species, woodpeckers make up the largest family in the order Piciformes, which also includes jacamars, puffbirds, barbets, honeyguides, and toucans. Woodpeckers are characterized by their chisel-like bills, stiff tail feathers, and zygodactyl feet, with two toes pointing forward and two backward. These adaptations all help woodpeckers cling to vertical surfaces such as tree trunks.
There are 22 species of woodpeckers native to North America north of Mexico. The Northern Flicker is widespread, found across the continent in most habitats except for the high Arctic. Other common North American woodpeckers include the Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-headed Woodpecker, and Pileated Woodpecker.
The Unique Call of the Northern Flicker
Many woodpeckers drum loudly against trees both to establish territories and excavate nest cavities. The Northern Flicker, however, is more vocal than most other woodpeckers. Its most distinctive sound is a loud, repeating call that resembles a human laugh: “kleeer-kleeer-kleeer.”
This laughing call can sound maniacal or unhinged, especially when repeated over and over again. The sound is produced primarily by male Northern Flickers during the spring breeding season. It is thought to function in establishing territories and attracting mates.
The laughing call of the Northern Flicker is so unique among North American birds that it is easily recognizable once learned. No other species makes a similar vocalization. The most comparable sound may be the ki-ki-ki call of the Pileated Woodpecker, which is slower and less laughing-like.
In addition to the laughing call, Northern Flickers produce a wide range of vocalizations used in different contexts. Both males and females can make a loud, rolling rattle similar to that of other woodpeckers. They also make wicka wicka calls, ju-ju-ju alarm calls, and soft whispers upon arriving at nest cavities.
Why Does the Northern Flicker Make This Sound?
The laughing call of the Northern Flicker has long intrigued birders and scientists alike. What evolutionary purpose could such a strange and conspicuous sound serve? Here are some of the leading hypotheses:
- Territory defense. The laughing call rings out loudly across the woods, advertising that a flicker is occupying a territory.
- Mate attraction. Females may be evolutionarily programmed to respond to the laughing call when seeking a mate.
- Signaling fitness. The ability to make the call for long durations may indicate a male’s physical fitness.
- Species recognition. The unique call allows Northern Flickers to quickly identify each other and not waste time investigating other species.
- Nest defense. The laughing call may function in warding predators away from nest cavities.
The exact purpose is still debated, but it likely serves multiple functions related to breeding. The laughing call is thought to play an especially important role early in the season when the birds are establishing territories and pairs. Interestingly, it appears to be made primarily by males, suggesting mate attraction is a key factor driving the evolution of this vocalization.
When and Where to Hear the Northern Flicker’s Call
The laughing call of the Northern Flicker can be heard across much of North America in spring and early summer. It is produced most vigorously in the early morning when the birds are most active. Other good times to listen for it are late afternoon and evening before the birds roost for the night.
The call carries well through the woods, sometimes ringing out from over half a mile away. Northern Flickers inhabit open forests, woodland edges, parks, yards, and other semi-open habitats. Walking trails through woods and listening for flickers near forest clearings are good ways to detect this signature sound.
Some key times and places to listen for the Northern Flicker’s laugh-like call include:
- March-June during the breeding season
- Near forest edges and clearings
- Early morning and evening
- Near nesting cavities
- While walking trails through open woodlands
With their loud, far-reaching call, individual Northern Flickers can often be tracked down and observed by listening carefully and moving toward the sound.
Conclusion
The Northern Flicker produces one of the most unique vocalizations made by any North American bird – a loud, ringing laugh that sounds almost human. This bizarre call plays an important role in the breeding biology of this common woodpecker. It serves to defend territories, attract mates, and identify other individuals of the same species across long distances. The laughing call of the Northern Flicker is a memorable and enjoyable sound of the woods in spring.
By learning this call, bird watchers can easily identify Northern Flickers and zero in on their locations. With practice, the flicker’s maniacal laughter will become a familiar and welcome sound of the season. No other bird vocalizes quite like this charismatic woodpecker. Its laughing call is just one of the many quirky traits that make the Northern Flicker a favorite among birders.
Fun Facts About the Northern Flicker’s Call
Here are some additional interesting tidbits about the laughing vocalization of the Northern Flicker:
- The scientific name Colaptes comes from the Greek word kolaptos meaning “pecking” in reference to the bird’s hammering and drilling habits.
- Flickers hammer on metal objects like rain gutters and antennae because the sound helps convey their territorial calls over longer distances.
- The laughing call is thought to have evolved from the rattling calls shared by other woodpeckers.
- Regional dialects exist, with Western and Eastern flickers showing slight variations in the speed and pitch of their calls.
- Both the male and female may make the ki-ki-ki nest call, but only the male produces the laughing vocalization.
- The Northern Flicker has over 20 different vocalizations beyond its famous laughing call.
- Its scientific name auratus means “gilded” or “golden,” referring to the yellow feathers found under the wings and tail.
The Northern Flicker’s laughing call has inspired many writers and poets. It adds a lively character to the woodlands each spring. This unique vocalization has delighted birders for ages with its strange, amusing nature. Next time you are out in the spring woods, listen for this comedian of the bird world!
Other North American Birds With Interesting Calls
While the Northern Flicker has one of the most recognizable vocalizations, other North American birds also make some bizarre and fascinating sounds. Here are a few other species with calls that catch our attention:
Blue Jay
Blue Jays mimic the calls of hawks to scare other birds away from food sources. Their own calls include a loud, ringing “jay jay” scream and a gurgling “kwirli-kwirli.”
Yellow-breasted Chat
The huge song repertoire of the Yellow-breasted Chat includes mimicking other birds, whistles, chuckles, and pops. Their calls sound like random vocal experiments.
Wild Turkey
Male turkeys, or “toms,” make a crazy gobbling sound by blowing air through their nostrils and inflating their neck. It serves to attract females and defend territories.
Red-tailed Hawk
The classic shrill scream of the Red-tailed Hawk is frequently used by movie sound effects. They also make pleading-sounding kee-eeee-arrr calls.
Eurasian Collared Dove
With an upbeat, syncopated rhythm, this dove’s repetitive cooing of “cooo-woo-woo-woooooo” stands out from other doves.
There are so many uniquely sounding birds beyond just the Northern Flicker. Listening to their voices is one of the joys of birding. It reveals so much about their behaviors and lifestyles. Birds enrich our soundscape with their displays of vocal talents perfected by eons of evolution.
How to Attract Northern Flickers to Your Yard
Want to get an up close experience with the crazy laughing call of the Northern Flicker? You can increase your chances by making your yard or property more attractive to them. Here are some tips:
- Leave dead trees or put up nest boxes to provide potential nesting cavities.
- Have open areas where they can forage on the ground for ants.
- Plant native trees like oaks, elms, and cottonwoods which attract ant colonies.
- Reduce pesticide usage which decreases the insect prey flickers rely on.
- Put up a tall pole or perch near open foraging areas.
- Include a birdbath or fountain for drinking and bathing.
- Provide berries and fruits from trees like black cherry, sumac, and dogwood.
With a little encouragement, these woodpeckers may take up residence and fill your property with their unmistakable voices. Enjoy observing their behaviors and antics as they declare their territories and search for mates.
Conclusion
The Northern Flicker’s laughing call is one of the signature sounds of spring across North America. This peculiar vocalization plays an integral role in the breeding behavior of this common woodpecker. Next time you are out birding, stop and listen for the flicker’s crazed laughter ringing through the woods. See if you can spot the comedian behind the cackle and delight in the avian theater unfolding. We are fortunate to share the continent with such a vocal character.