Flickers are a type of woodpecker that migrate seasonally between breeding and wintering grounds. Understanding where flickers migrate can help us protect important habitat for these birds.
What are flickers?
Flickers are medium-sized woodpeckers found throughout much of North America. There are two subspecies:
- Northern flicker (Colaptes auratus auratus) – found in the east and across Canada
- Gilded flicker (Colaptes auratus chrysoides) – found in the southwest United States and Mexico
Key characteristics of flickers:
- Colorful plumage with barred backs and spotted underparts
- Long curved bill adapted for probing into ground for ants and beetles
- Distinctive “wicka-wicka” call
- Male northern flickers have a black moustache, females have a grey moustache
Flickers excavate nest cavities in trees, stumps, utility poles, and sometimes even the ground. They are an important species ecologically by providing nest sites for other birds and mammals.
Where do flickers breed?
Flickers breed across much of North America from coast to coast and as far north as Alaska and the Yukon. Their breeding range extends:
- Throughout Canada
- Across the northern United States including the Pacific Northwest, northern Plains, Great Lakes, and New England
- South along higher elevation areas like the Appalachian Mountains
- In the Southwest along river corridors and mountains of Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas
Within their breeding range, flickers are found in open wooded habitats with scattered trees and open ground for foraging. This includes woodlands, orchards, urban parks, and wooded suburban neighborhoods.
Some key breeding areas include:
- Aspen parklands of Canada
- Boreal forests across Canada
- Great Lakes and New England forests
- Riparian woodlands of the Southwest
Where do flickers winter?
As temperatures drop in the fall, flickers migrate south to warmer climates. Their winter range extends:
- Throughout the southern United States from California to Florida
- South into Mexico and Central America
- Small numbers may overwinter as far north as southeastern Canada
Preferred winter habitats provide plentiful food sources, such as:
- Open woodlands
- Forest edges
- Suburban neighborhoods
- Parks
- Riparian areas along southern rivers
Some major wintering areas include:
- Southeastern pine forests
- Lower Mississippi River Valley
- Southern California
- South Texas and northern Mexico along the Rio Grande
What are the migration routes?
Flickers follow well-defined migration routes called flyways as they travel between breeding and wintering grounds. There are four major flyways in North America:
- Atlantic Flyway – Along eastern North America
- Mississippi Flyway – Through the Great Plains and along the Mississippi River
- Central Flyway – Between the Rocky Mountains and Mississippi River
- Pacific Flyway – Along western North America
Fall Migration
In fall, the migration generally proceeds:
- South through eastern Canada (Atlantic Flyway)
- Southwest through the Great Plains (Mississippi and Central Flyways)
- South along the Pacific coastline (Pacific Flyway)
Some flickers may wander east or west between flyways during migration.
Spring Migration
In spring, migration travels:
- Northeast up the Atlantic coast
- North through the Mississippi Valley
- North between the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains
- North along the Pacific coast
Again, there may be some crossover between flyways.
How far do flickers migrate?
Migration distance depends on the breeding and wintering locations for an individual flicker. Some key examples:
- Flickers nesting in Alaska may migrate over 3000 miles to winter in Central America
- Midwestern flickers may migrate 1000 miles between the Great Lakes and Gulf Coast
- Western flickers move between the Pacific Northwest and U.S. Southwest
- Eastern flickers migrate between New England and Florida
On average, flickers migrate 800-1500 miles between breeding and wintering grounds. However, migration distance can range from just a few hundred miles to over 3000 miles for some individuals.
When do flickers migrate?
Flicker migration is timed around weather patterns and food availability:
Fall Migration
- Begins in August or September
- Peaks from mid-September to early October
- Ends by November
Flickers leave the breeding grounds when insect prey starts decreasing and temperatures begin dropping. The earlier arrival on wintering areas gives them time to establish territories.
Spring Migration
- Starts in February or March
- Peaks from mid-March to early April
- Ends by May
Flickers follow warmer temperatures and burgeoning insect populations northward in the spring. Arriving on breeding areas early allows them to set up nesting territories.
What are the threats to migrating flickers?
Flickers face a number of threats during migration:
- Habitat loss – Deforestation along migration routes reduces habitat for feeding and resting
- Collisions – Flickers frequently collide with buildings, towers, and other structures
- Predators – Hawks, falcons, and other predators take flickers during migration
- Severe weather – Storms, high winds, or cold snaps can be dangerous or deadly
- Food shortages – Lack of insect prey at stopover sites makes refueling difficult
Conserving healthy migration habitats is crucial for flickers and other migratory birds. Providing stopover habitat with food sources and safety from predators is vital.
How can we help conserve migrating flickers?
Here are some ways we can help protect migrating flickers:
- Preserve and expand forests along migration flyways
- Plant native trees and shrubs that provide food sources
- Reduce collisions by marking windows and minimizing light pollution
- Supply bird feeders with suet and nutritious foods
- Report sightings and volunteer for migration monitoring programs
- Support conservation organizations that protect migratory bird habitat
Even simple actions like keeping cats indoors, reducing pesticide use, and landscaping with native plants can make a difference. Together, we can ensure safe passage for migrating flickers and other species.
Conclusion
In summary, flickers are long-distance migrants that travel along routes called flyways between northern breeding habitats and southern wintering grounds. Though individual migration distances vary, most flickers migrate hundreds or thousands of miles annually between the upper United States/Canada and the southern U.S./Mexico. Providing habitat corridors and food resources along migration routes is crucial to sustaining flicker populations. Tracking flicker migration patterns helps focus conservation efforts on key stopover sites. With expanding urbanization across North America, maintaining protected migration pathways for flickers and other migratory birds remains an important challenge for the future.