Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
Also called flicker, yellowhammer.
A woodpecker that feeds on the ground, mostly on ants, which is why people find it on the lawn and never think of woodpeckers. The white rump in flight is the giveaway.
- Size
- Robin to jay — 28–31 cm
- Bill
- Chisel-like
- Where
- yard, woodland, open field
- Season
- year round
What it looks like
Brown with heavy black barring above, black spots below, a black crescent bib, a grey or brown face, and a white rump obvious in flight. Eastern birds flash yellow under the wings and tail, western birds red.
The checks that confirm it
- A bright white rump patch, obvious every time it flies.
- Black crescent bib across the chest and black spotting below.
- Feeds on lawns, digging for ants.
- Yellow wing linings in the east, red in the west.
Voice
A long loud 'wick-wick-wick-wick' and a single sharp 'kleer'. Drums loudly, often on metal.
Attracting it
Suet, and an undisturbed lawn with ants. Rarely takes seed.
Confused with
Also feeds on lawns, but plain orange below with no spots, bib or white rump.
Barred black and white, grey below, and it stays on trunks.
Questions about this bird
How do you identify a northern flicker?
A bright white rump patch, obvious every time it flies. Black crescent bib across the chest and black spotting below.
What does a northern flicker sound like?
A long loud 'wick-wick-wick-wick' and a single sharp 'kleer'. Drums loudly, often on metal.
How do you attract a northern flicker?
Suet, and an undisturbed lawn with ants. Rarely takes seed.