Northern Flicker
The Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) is a species of woodpecker native to North America. It is a unique and beautiful bird, with a brownish-gray body, a black bib, and a distinctive black spotted belly. The male has a red or black mustache.
The Northern Flicker is a common sight in forests, parks, and backyards. It is an insectivore, feeding on a variety of ants and other insects.
The Northern Flicker is a crucial part of the ecosystem, as it plays a role in controlling insect populations.
Northern Flicker
Classification
Aves > Piciformes > Picidae > Colaptes > C. auratus
Native To
Conservation Status
Average Height
12 - 13 inches
(30 - 33 cm)
Average Weight
3 - 6 oz
(85 - 170 g)
Average Life Span
5 - 10 years
Gestation Period
11 - 12 days
Did You Know?
The Northern Flicker is a unique North American woodpecker that often forages on the ground, searching for ants and beetles.
They have distinctive colorful markings under their wings and tail feathers, which can be yellow or red depending on the subspecies.
Unlike many other woodpeckers, the Northern Flicker prefers to excavate its nests in dead trees or utility poles rather than live ones.
Their call is a loud, ringing "wicka, wicka, wicka" sound, and they also communicate by drumming on resonant surfaces.
The Northern Flicker's long, barbed tongue is specially adapted for extracting insects from cracks and crevices.
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