The Northern Flicker is a medium-sized woodpecker found throughout most of North America. But why is this bird called a “flicker”? In this in-depth article, we’ll uncover the history behind the Northern Flicker’s unique name.
Some quick answers about the Northern Flicker:
- Scientific Name: Colaptes auratus
- Other Common Names: Common Flicker, Yellowhammer, Harry-wicket, Wake-up
- Identifying Features: Grayish brown plumage, black chest crescent, black spots on belly, red patch on nape of neck
- Size: 11-13 inches long with 16-18 inch wingspan
- Habitat: Open woodlands, forests edges, parks, suburbs
- Range: Alaska and Canada south throughout the continental United States
- Diet: Mainly ants and other insects
- Lifespan: Up to 12 years
Origins of “Flicker”
The Northern Flicker gets its common name from the flashing white underwings and white rump patches it displays during flight. When flickers take off, flap their wings, or land, these white patches are suddenly revealed or concealed, creating a distinctive “flickering” effect.
This flickering behavior caught the attention of early North American settlers, who referred to the bird as the “flicker” in reference to this flashing wing pattern. Some of the earliest records of the name date back to the 1700s.
In his History of North American Birds published in 1808, Alexander Wilson wrote:
“This bird has obtained the name of Flicker from its habit of flicking its wings.”
Another theory suggests that the name refers to the flickering sound of the flicker’s wings as it takes flight. However, the visual flashing seems to be the more widely accepted origin.
Onomatopoeic Names
The Northern Flicker is also known by other colloquial names that are examples of onomatopoeia – words that phonetically imitate sounds.
Names like “Yellowhammer” and “Harry-wicket” are likely references to the loud, ringing hammer-like calls of the flicker.
The name “Wake-up” refers to the early morning vocalizations of flickers, often given around sunrise and perceived as a morning “alarm” by humans.
Why “Northern” Flicker?
The term “Northern” Flicker refers specifically to the red-shafted subspecies (Colaptes auratus cafer) found in the western part of North America.
In the east, a very similar yellow-shafted subspecies (Colaptes auratus auratus) is found. They were once considered separate species, the Red-shafted Flicker and the Yellow-shafted Flicker.
However, they commonly interbreed across a wide hybrid zone from Alaska to Texas. Because of this, they are now classified as subspecies rather than distinct species.
To distinguish the western red-shafted birds from the eastern yellow-shafted ones, the name “Northern” Flicker arose to describe the red-shafted population.
Range of the Northern Flicker
Here is a comparison of the ranges of the two subspecies in North America:
Subspecies | Range |
---|---|
Red-shafted Flicker (C. a. cafer) | Western North America from Alaska to Mexico |
Yellow-shafted Flicker (C. a. auratus) | Eastern North America from eastern Canada to Texas |
Taxonomy of the Flicker
The Northern Flicker belongs to the Picidae family of woodpeckers and has the following scientific classification:
Taxonomy |
---|
Kingdom: Animalia |
Phylum: Chordata |
Class: Aves |
Order: Piciformes |
Family: Picidae |
Genus: Colaptes |
Species: C. auratus |
Behavior and Diet
Flickers forage on the ground, mainly eating ants and other insects. They use their curved bill to probe into the soil and dig up food.
Here is a table comparing the diet of flickers by seasons:
Season | Primary Food Source |
---|---|
Spring | Ants |
Summer | Ants, beetles, caterpillars |
Fall | Ants, fruits, berries |
Winter | Fruits, nuts, seeds |
In spring when ants become active, flickers will follow the movements of the ants, digging up soil and wood to get access to them. They use their long sticky tongues to lap up the ants.
In winter when insects are scarce, flickers rely more on fruits, seeds and nuts from trees and shrubs. They have a particular liking for wild berries.
Nesting and Reproduction
Flickers nest in tree cavities, either ones they excavate themselves or old woodpecker holes. They lay 5-8 white eggs on a bed of wood chips.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 11-12 days before they hatch. The chicks fledge in another 25-28 days.
There is usually one brood per mating season. Here is a timeline of the flicker’s breeding stages:
Stage | Timing |
---|---|
Nest Building | Early spring |
Egg Laying | May – June |
Incubation | 11-12 days |
Fledging | 25-28 days after hatching |
Conservation Status
The Northern Flicker has a large range and healthy overall population. According to the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.
However, the eastern yellow-shafted flicker underwent significant population declines in the early-mid 1900s due to loss of habitat. Conservation of woodlands and forests benefited flickers as their numbers rebounded by the late 1900s.
Interesting Facts
- Flickers can excavate a new nest cavity in as little as 4-10 days using their chisel-like bill.
- They have unusually round wings that create a “rollercoaster” flight pattern with alternating dips and rises.
- The red-shafted flicker has red wing linings, while the yellow-shafted has yellow wing linings.
- Flickers migrate during the day, in loose flocks of up to hundreds of birds.
- They breed as far north as Alaska and winter as far south as Central America and the Caribbean.
Conclusion
With its distinct plumage and quirky flight style, the Northern Flicker is a characterful woodpecker. Its flickering wing pattern giving rise to the descriptive name “flicker.” Studying the range, diet, nesting habits and taxonomy of this species provides insight into its natural history.
Flickers play an important ecological role by controlling ant populations and excavating nesting cavities used by other birds. Their large range across North America means they have delighted both scientists and birdwatchers for centuries.