The Northern Flicker is a medium-sized woodpecker found across much of North America. It is a common bird that can be found in open woods, parks, and suburban areas. Identifying a Northern Flicker is relatively straightforward once you know a few key field marks. In this article, we will cover how to identify a Northern Flicker by sight and sound. We will discuss key identification points like size, shape, field marks, behavior, habitat, range, and calls. With a little practice, you will be able to easily spot and recognize the Northern Flicker.
What does a Northern Flicker look like?
Here are the key physical features to look for:
Size and Shape
– About 12 inches in length with a 20 inch wingspan
– Plump body with a long tail and short legs
– Long, curved bill adapted for probing into wood
– Large head with a rounded crown
The Northern Flicker is a medium-sized woodpecker, though on the larger end of the scale. It has a plump, ovular body on short legs. The tail is quite long at 6-7 inches. The bill is long (2-3 inches), curved, and chisel-like. The head is particularly large and rounded. Overall size and shape is somewhat similar to a Robin, but Northern Flickers have larger heads and longer tails.
Plumage and Markings
– Grayish-brown upperparts with black barring
– Pale brown or beige underparts with black spots
– Distinctive black “mustache” stripe
– Red or black crescent on nape of neck (males)
– Bright yellow or salmon underwings and under-tail
The Northern Flicker shows a lot of variation in plumage. The back and wings are grayish-brown with bold black barring. The underparts are pale brown to beige with black spotting. A distinctive black “mustache” stripe runs down both sides of the face. Males have a vivid red or sometimes black crescent shape on the nape of the neck. In flight, bright yellow or salmon-colored feathers under the wings and tail are obvious. Regional variations exist – Eastern birds tend to be more brown, while Western birds show more red.
Behavior and Movement
– Forages on ground like a Robin, probing with bill
– Hops or walks; does not hop sideways like some woodpeckers
– Undulating flight; shows flash of color in wings and tail
– Males have a distinctive “wik-a-wik” territorial call
Northern Flickers forage on the ground like American Robins, walking or hopping along as they probe the dirt with their bills. They do not cling tightly to tree trunks or hop sideways like some other woodpeckers. In flight, watch for the undulating flight pattern along with bright flashes of underwing and undertail color. Males can be identified by their loud, ringing “wik-a-wik” call, used to establish territories.
Where do Northern Flickers live?
Habitat
Northern Flickers occupy a wide range of semi-open habitats, including:
– Open woodlands
– Forest edges and clearings
– Parks and gardens
– Golf courses
– Orchards
– Suburbs
You are most likely to find them wherever there are scattered trees interspersed with open ground. They prefer habitat mosaics rather than dense forest or open grassland. You can spot them on lawns, along woodland trails, in city parks, backyards, and other semi-open areas. They are adaptable and can thrive close to human activity.
Range
The Northern Flicker occupies a very broad range across the United States and Canada:
Region | Range |
Eastern | From Maine to Florida, west to the Great Plains |
Central | Throughout the Great Plains up to Alaska and Canada |
Western | From western Texas throughout the West Coast up to Alaska |
Canada | All provinces and territories |
Northern Flickers can be found anywhere east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States. Their range extends from coast to coast across Canada. They are absent only from the mountainous and desert regions of the southwest U.S.
Migration
Northern Flickers are short-distance migrants across most of their range. They breed across Canada and the northern U.S. before migrating south to the southern U.S. and Mexico for winter. Some may remain year-round in warmer southern regions. Typically, migration peaks in April and October. Some vagrant individuals may stray outside the normal range.
How to identify a Northern Flicker by sound
Northern Flickers have a few characteristic vocalizations to listen for:
Calls
Wik-a-wik: Loud, ringing call of the male, used to establish territory. The most distinctive Northern Flicker sound.
Wicka: Softer, rolling call used by females and males.
Gleeful cackling: Both sexes give excited cackling calls during courtship and feeding.
Drumming
Northern Flickers drum sporadically on metal objects or wood to establish territory and attract mates. The drumming is faster and less regular than other woodpeckers.
Wing sounds
The bright yellow underwings produce a unique fluttering sound in flight. This can help attune your ear to identifying Northern Flickers.
Behavioral traits and feeding habits
Here are some interesting behavioral notes that can aid identification:
Foraging habits
– Spends much time feeding on the ground
– Probes soil and leaf litter with its long bill
– Feeds heavily on ants and termites
– Also eats seeds, berries, and fruit
Northern Flickers forage on the ground, probing soft earth with their bills to find food. Ants and termites make up over 2/3 of their diet. They also eat other insects, spiders, snails, seeds, berries, and fruits. You may see them investigating lawns, leaf litter, and soil for food.
Breeding and nesting
– Male establishes breeding territory, attracts female with calls and drumming
– Nest is a hole excavated in a tree, utility pole, or building
– Lays 5-8 eggs; young fledge in 25-28 days
Northern Flickers breed between April and July, with males actively establishing and defending nesting territories using vocalizations and drumming patterns. The nest is a hole excavated in a tree, utility pole, or side of a building, with a cavity debris bedding. Females lay 5-8 white eggs, which hatch in 11-13 days. Young leave the nest in 25-28 days.
Roosting habits
– Crepuscular – most active at dawn and dusk
– Roosts in tree cavities at night
– May excavate a fresh cavity each year for winter roosting
Northern Flickers are crepuscular, most active in the early morning and evening hours. They roost in tree cavities at night for safety and shelter. They may excavate a new cavity each fall to use as winter roost.
Common confusion species
There are a few other woodpecker species with which Northern Flickers may be confused:
Red-headed Woodpecker
– Entirely red head
– Found in eastern regions
– Prefers open country
Red-bellied Woodpecker
– Red only on back of head, not entire crown
– Neat black and white barred back
– Wider range overlap with Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
– Much smaller (6-7 inches)
– Shorter bill
– Plain grayish underparts
– Found in woodlands; does not forage on ground
Hairy Woodpecker
– Larger than Downy but smaller than Flicker
– All dark-black wings
– Less spotted below
– Found more often in dense forest habitat
Conclusion
Identifying the Northern Flicker simply takes learning a few key field marks – the distinctive black “mustache”, brown barred back, bright yellow or red underwings, and habits like ground-feeding and the “wik-a-wik” call of the male. Watch for flickers probing on lawns and under trees, listen for their loud calls and drumming, and note the undulating flight pattern. With a little practice, you will be able to readily identify Northern Flicker as a common woodpecker across much of North America.