The Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) is a medium-sized woodpecker found throughout most of North America. Its distinctive plumage, loud calls, and unique feeding habits make the Northern Flicker stand out among other bird species. But just how common or rare is this charismatic bird? In this article, we’ll explore the abundance and distribution of the Northern Flicker to determine if it deserves the label of “rare.”
Range and Population Size
The Northern Flicker occupies a very large range across North America. Its breeding grounds stretch from Alaska and Canada southward to the southern United States and into parts of Central America. Some populations are migratory, traveling south for the winter, while others are permanent residents throughout their range. This extensive distribution means Northern Flickers can be found across a diversity of habitats including forests, woodlands, suburbs, parks, and agricultural areas.
Across this vast range, current population estimates put the number of Northern Flickers at around 16 million individuals. The species is not currently at risk or declining in numbers, and its abundance over such an extensive area means Northern Flickers have a healthy global population size. Based on their numbers alone, Northern Flickers cannot be considered rare or uncommon birds. Their wide distribution and millions of individuals place them safely in the category of common birds for most regions within their range.
Relative Abundance
Another way to evaluate the rarity of a species is to look at its abundance relative to other bird species in the same region. Here again, Northern Flickers stand out as common and widespread birds.
Data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey and the Audubon Christmas Bird Count provide insights into the Northern Flicker’s relative abundance. They rank within the top 30 most commonly detected bird species on the Breeding Bird Survey routes across the United States and Canada. On the Christmas Bird Counts, Northern Flickers make the top 10 most numerous birds observed during the winter in many parts of the U.S.
Within individual states and provinces, Northern Flickers often rank among the 10 or 15 most widespread breeding birds. They are noticeably more abundant than the majority of woodpecker species. For example, in California the Flicker breeds in greater numbers than other woodpeckers like the Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, and White-headed Woodpecker. Similar patterns emerge when comparing the Flicker with less common bird families such as vireos, wrens, and thrushes.
So when viewed in context of other birds that share its habitat, the Northern Flicker demonstrates high relative abundance over much of North America. It is clearly not a rare bird at either the local or continental scale.
Habitat Flexibility
The prevalence of Northern Flickers is aided by this species’ flexibility in using diverse habitats. Flickers inhabit mature forests but can also thrive in urban parks, suburban neighborhoods, and farms. This ability to utilize both natural and human-modified environments has helped Northern Flickers maintain high numbers even as forests became fragmented.
Some key features define the habitat needs of Northern Flickers:
- Open woodlands with scattered large trees
- Forest edges and clearings that receive sunlight
- Presence of dead and dying trees for nest cavities
- Bare ground for foraging on ants and other insects
As long as these requirements are met, Northern Flickers can flourish in both pristine and degraded woodland habitats. Their adaptability provides resilience against potential threats like extensive logging, urbanization, and climate change. It also means Northern Flickers are likely to persist as common inhabitants of the North American landscape into the future.
Regional Variation in Abundance
While Northern Flickers are widespread and numerous across their range as a whole, their abundance does display some regional variations. Flickers reach their highest densities in the western provinces and states but become progressively less common moving eastward.
For example, Breeding Bird Survey data shows Oregon, California, and Idaho support over 9 Northern Flickers per survey route on average. Ontario, Missouri, and Texas have between 5-9 individuals per route. In the northeastern states like New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire, Flicker numbers drop to 1-3 birds per survey route.
Some possible reasons for lower numbers in eastern regions include:
- Greater forest fragmentation and loss of mature woodland habitat
- Increased competition with other woodpecker species
- Higher prevalence of European Starlings that compete for nest cavities
Northern Flickers are still considered common birds in eastern states, but the chances of encountering them are notably reduced compared to western parts of their range. First-time bird watchers or visitors to an area may be surprised by how scarce or difficult to find Flickers can be on the east coast. Nonetheless, even at their lowest densities, Northern Flickers remain too widespread to qualify as rare.
Identification
The handsome and distinctive plumage of the Northern Flicker makes this woodpecker one of the easier species to identify. Its main field marks include:
- Pale brown upperparts with black barring
- Prominent black crescent on the breast
- Salmon-colored underwings and undertail
- Black malar stripes (“mustache”) on the face
- Male has a red nape, female black
The Northern Flicker shows substantial variation across its range, with western yellow-shafted, eastern red-shafted, and hybrid color types. But all forms share the same core plumage features that separate the Flicker from look-alike woodpeckers.
Another characteristic that aids identification is the Northern Flicker’s loud territorial calls. The most distinctive is a loud “kleer” that carries over long distances. Northern Flickers also drum frequently on trees and other surfaces. Their loud vocalizations and drumming help alert birders to their presence even when they remain hidden while foraging on the ground.
Common Behaviors
A few behaviors exhibited by Northern Flickers also account for how frequently they are detected, and help explain why they remain widespread and abundant.
Foraging
Northern Flickers forage on the ground far more than other North American woodpeckers. They use their curved bill to probe for ants and other insects in the dirt. This ground foraging makes them easier to spot than other woodpeckers that spend more time high in tree canopies.
Drumming
The loud drumming of Northern Flickers on metal surfaces like gutters or fence posts is a conspicuous territorial display. This drumming indicates a flicker’s presence even if the bird remains out of sight.
Vocalizations
With their frequent “kleer” calls, screams, and wicka-wicka sounds, Northern Flickers are one of the noisiest woodpeckers. Their loud voices advertise their presence over substantial distances.
Adaptability
As already noted, the Northern Flicker’s ability to inhabit both pristine and degraded habitats ensures they remain common across diverse geographic areas. Their numbers benefit from an ability to thrive alongside human development.
Status and Conservation
The Northern Flicker’s status is the very definition of a common bird species. It possesses a large population and expansive range, exhibits flexibility in using human-modified habitats, and occurs in high relative densities compared to other North American birds.
While the species faces some conservation issues, most experts agree its broad distribution and high abundance provide the Northern Flicker with a large buffer against significant population declines. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently lists the Northern Flicker as a species of Least Concern. Its population trends and risks do not approach the threshold required to label the Northern Flicker as a rare, threatened, or endangered species.
Ongoing conservation efforts for Northern Flickers aim to protect areas of high-quality habitat, maintain adequate cavity tree availability, and reduce direct threats like building collisions during migration. Responsible forest management practices can also benefit Flicker populations. But in general, the Northern Flicker exhibits little vulnerability to disappearance and will remain a common fixture across North America into the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
In summary, the Northern Flicker deserves its reputation as an abundant, widespread woodpecker species found throughout much of North America. Key points demonstrating why Northern Flickers cannot be considered rare birds include:
- Global population estimated at 16 million individuals
- Breeds readily across North America from Alaska to Central America
- Among the 30 most abundant bird species on breeding bird surveys
- Flexible habitat use allows adaptation to human landscapes
- Conspicuous appearance, calls, and behaviors increase detectability
- Not currently at risk of significant population decline
Regional variations certainly exist, with Northern Flickers reaching their highest densities in western states and provinces. They grow progressively scarcer farther east. But even at the lowest abundances in northeastern states, Northern Flickers remain too widespread to be considered rare. For any location within its broad range, the Northern Flicker ranks as one of the more conspicuous and characteristic woodland birds that birders can expect to encounter.