Colaptes auratus
The Northern Flicker is the most terrestrial of all North American woodpeckers. Feeding on ants and other land insects, flickers appear almost robin-like when they hop about in grassy meadows or forest clearings. Flickers are often seen bathing in dusty depressions or 'anting.' Dust particles absorb oils and bacteria harmful to the birds' feathers. To clean themselves more thoroughly, flickers (and other birds) squish ants and then preen themselves with the remains. Ants contain formic acid, which kills small parasites on the skin and feathers. The 'Red-shafted Flicker'-red wing and tail linings and a red 'mustache' in the male-occurs throughout most of the Rockies; the 'Yellow-shafted Flicker'-yellow wing and tail linings and a black 'mustache' in the male-breeds east of the Rockies. There is hybridization between the two forms in the eastern foothills. |
I.D.: General: brown, barred back and wings; spotted underparts; black bib; white rump; long bill; gray face; brown crown. 'Red-shafted' male: red wing and tail linings; red 'mustache.' 'Red-shafted' female: red wing and tail linings; no 'mustache.' Size: L 13 in. (33 cm). Range: uncommon to common migrant and breeder throughout the Rockies; less common in winter. Habitat: open mixed woodlands, forest edges, fields and meadows from the foothills to the subalpine. Nesting: male or female chooses the nest site; pair excavates the cavity in a dead or dying deciduous tree for about 2 weeks; builds a new cavity annually; uses nest boxes; lines the cavity with wood chips; pair incubates 5-8 eggs for up to 11 days. Feeding: forages on the ground for ants and other terrestrial insects; also eats berries and nuts; probes bark; occasionally flycatches. Voice: loud, laughing, rapid wick-wick-wick-wick-wick-wick. Similar Species: none. |
