Red-shafted Flicker and Yellow-shafted Flicker

Colaptes auratus

Description:

This is the only woodpecker to have a gray-brown barred back and white rump. The male has a tan head, gray crown, red nape, black mustache, and a black crescent on the breast. Underneath, the male is light tan with heavy black spotting. The tail is black on top. In the eastern form, Yellow-shafted Flicker, the male has yellow underwings and under the tail, while the western form, the Red-shafted Flicker, has reddish underwings. Its length is 12 ½ inches and it has a wingspan of 20 inches.

Voice:

A loud series of wick-er notes or a single, loud klee-yer or kee-yar. Fairly vocal; often heard but not seen.

Food:

Their chief food is ants, and they are sometimes seen feeding on the ground. They will also eat a wide range of insects, as well as fruit, seeds and nuts.

Nest:

The nest is excavated in dead tree trunks, dead parts of live trees, or telephone poles. There are 3 to 12 white, glossy eggs per clutch.

Habitat:

These woodpeckers are found in wooded areas that have stands of dead trees. They are also found in open areas, forest edges, clear-cut areas, burnt areas, agricultural lands, and residential areas.

Range:

This bird is found throughout North America.

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Photo Courtesy of Tom Grey