The Northern Flicker is a medium-sized woodpecker found across much of North America. This bird gets its name from the distinctive bright “flick” of its wings during flight. There are several different subspecies and color variants of the Northern Flicker, which can make identification tricky.
Three Main Subspecies
There are three widely recognized subspecies of the Northern Flicker:
- Yellow-shafted Flicker (Colaptes auratus auratus)
- Red-shafted Flicker (Colaptes auratus cafer)
- Gilded Flicker (Colaptes chrysoides)
Yellow-shafted Flicker
The Yellow-shafted Flicker is found in eastern North America. As its name suggests, it has bright yellow feathers under its wings and tail. The yellow shafts contrast with its barred brown and black plumage on the rest of its body.
Some key identification features of the Yellow-shafted Flicker include:
- Bright yellow feathers under the wings and tail
- Black “mustache” stripe on its face
- Black spot on its chest
- Barred brown and black pattern on its back and wings
Red-shafted Flicker
The Red-shafted Flicker inhabits western North America. True to its name, this subspecies has reddish feathers under the wings and tail instead of yellow. Its plumage is otherwise very similar to the Yellow-shafted.
Some key identification features of the Red-shafted Flicker include:
- Red feathers under the wings and tail
- Red “mustache” stripe on its face
- No black spot on its chest
- Barred brown and black pattern on its back and wings
Gilded Flicker
The Gilded Flicker is found in the desert southwest of the United States and Mexico. As its name indicates, this subspecies has an overall golden-yellow cast to its plumage. It is paler than the other two subspecies.
Some key identification features of the Gilded Flicker include:
- Pale yellowish plumage on head, chest, back and belly
- Gray barring on its back and wings
- Yellow tail feathers
- Gray facial stripes
Hybrid Zones
Where the ranges of the Yellow-shafted and Red-shafted Flickers meet in the central United States and Canada, hybridization occurs. As a result, flickers in these hybrid zones may show some mix of characteristics from both subspecies. For example, they may have red-orange tail feathers or a speckled breast.
Blue-shafted Flicker
A rare color variant called the Blue-shafted Flicker occasionally turns up in either subspecies. As the name suggests, this unusual flicker has blue-gray rather than yellow or red flight feathers.
Number of Recognized Subspecies
In summary, there are 3 main subspecies of the Northern Flicker that are almost universally recognized:
- Yellow-shafted Flicker
- Red-shafted Flicker
- Gilded Flicker
In addition, hybrids and color variants like the Blue-shafted Flicker occur from time to time. So the total number of distinct Northern Flicker “types” observed in North America is usually considered to be 5:
- Yellow-shafted Flicker
- Red-shafted Flicker
- Gilded Flicker
- Hybrids
- Color variants like the Blue-shafted Flicker
Range and Habitat
Here is an overview of the geographic range and preferred habitat of each subspecies and variant:
Yellow-shafted Flicker
Range: Eastern North America
Habitat: Open woodlands, parks, backyards
Red-shafted Flicker
Range: Western North America
Habitat: Forests and woodlands
Gilded Flicker
Range: Deserts of the American Southwest
Habitat: Deserts and dry shrublands
Hybrids
Range: Central North America
Habitat: Varies; transition zones between habitats
Blue-shafted Flicker
Range: Throughout Northern Flicker range, but rare
Habitat: Same as non-variant flickers
Identification Tips
Here are some tips for identifying which type of Northern Flicker you are observing:
- Pay attention to the color of the flight feathers under the wings and tail
- Yellow = Yellow-shafted
- Red = Red-shafted
- Mix of yellow and red = Hybrid
- Note the color of the “mustache” stripe
- Black = Yellow-shafted
- Red = Red-shafted
- Gray = Gilded
- Check for a black spot or speckled band on the chest
- Consider the overall plumage coloration
- Browns = Yellow-shafted or Red-shafted
- Golden yellows = Gilded
- Gray barred pattern = Gilded
- Pay attention to habitat
- East = more likely Yellow-shafted
- West = more likely Red-shafted
- Desert = more likely Gilded
Fun Facts
Here are a few interesting facts about Northern Flickers:
- They use their long tongues to lap up ants, one of their favorite foods
- They communicate with a loud “wicka-wicka-wicka” call
- They hammer on trees with their beaks to communicate and excavate nest cavities
- They can drill through solid wood with their beaks
- They migrate during winter across much of their range
- Their black-dotted plumage helps camouflage them against trees
- They often forage on the ground for ants
- They rub their beaks on branches to communicate by scent
- They are considered sacred in some Native American cultures
- They sometimes hammer on metal objects like gutters and chimney caps
Conclusion
In summary, there are three main subspecies of the Northern Flicker – Yellow-shafted, Red-shafted, and Gilded – along with hybrids and occasional color variants like the Blue-shafted. Paying attention to details like feather coloration, facial markings, range, and habitat can help identify which type you are observing. With a little practice, you’ll be spotting the differences between these unique woodpeckers in no time.