The Northern Flicker is a medium-sized woodpecker found throughout much of North America. In Michigan, Northern Flickers are fairly common and widespread, but their populations have declined somewhat in recent decades.
Quick Answer
Northern Flickers are not considered rare in Michigan. According to the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, their conservation status is secure, and they are still found in suitable habitat across most of the state. However, loss of habitat and competition with non-native species have caused Northern Flicker numbers to decrease over the past few decades.
Geographic Range and Habitat
The Northern Flicker is found across much of North America, ranging from Alaska and Canada southward to the southern United States and Mexico. Within Michigan, Northern Flickers can be found statewide.
Northern Flickers inhabit open woodlands, forest edges, orchards, parks, and suburban areas. They prefer areas with scattered large trees, snags, and ground with exposed soil. Habitats dominated by oak and aspen seem to be preferred in many parts of their range.
Range Map
Here is a range map showing the geographic distribution of the Northern Flicker in North America:
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Population and Conservation Status
The Northern Flicker is not listed as endangered or threatened at state or federal levels. According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, Northern Flickers saw a population decline of about 1.5% per year between 1966 and 2015 nationwide. However, trends vary regionally.
In Michigan, Breeding Bird Survey data indicates Northern Flickers declined at a rate of 0.9% annually from 1966-2015. They are described as uncommon in the southern part of the state. Parts of central Michigan have seen more significant declines.
Despite population decreases, the Northern Flicker remains fairly widespread and its status is considered secure in Michigan. However, there are concerns about habitat loss and competition from non-native species negatively impacting Northern Flicker numbers.
Population Trend in Michigan
| Year | Estimated Population |
|---|---|
| 1966 | 210,000 |
| 2015 | 120,000 |
Source: North American Breeding Bird Survey
Identifying Northern Flickers
Northern Flickers are relatively large, distinctively marked woodpeckers. They can be identified by the following characteristics:
- Size around 12 inches long with a 20-inch wingspan
- Brownish barred upperparts
- Pale brown underparts with black spots
- Men have a red or black moustachial stripe on the cheek
- Large white rump patch visible during flight
The male Northern Flicker has a black moustache, while the female’s is gray. Northern Flickers in the east have yellow underwings and red shafts on the wing and tail feathers. Western birds have red underwings and lack the red shafts.
When perched, Northern Flickers often bob their heads. They can be located by listening for their loud, repeating calls that sound like “kleeeyer.” Drumming against trees with their bills is also common.
Northern Flicker Identification
| Field Mark | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | About 12 inches long with a 20-inch wingspan |
| Plumage | Brown barred upperparts, pale brown underparts with black spots |
| Facial Markings | Red or black moustachial stripe |
| Wings | Large white rump patch visible during flight. Yellow underwings in the east. |
Behavior
Northern Flickers exhibit some interesting behaviors:
- They forage on the ground, probing for ants and other insects with their long, barbed tongues.
- They hammer on trees to communicate and excavate nest cavities.
- They migrate during winter to southeastern U.S. and Mexico.
- They can glide for short distances with their wings held upward in a V-shape.
- They are sometimes aggressive toward other birds near their nesting sites.
Northern Flickers create nests inside tree cavities, often in dead trees or branches. The female lays 5-8 eggs and incubates them for about 11-12 days. Both parents help feed the young, who leave the nest after about 25-28 days.
Interesting Northern Flicker Behaviors
| Behavior | Description |
|---|---|
| Foraging | Probes ground for ants and insects using its long barbed tongue |
| Drumming | Hammers bill against trees to communicate and excavate nests |
| Migration | Winters in southeastern U.S. and Mexico |
| Gliding | Glides short distances with wings in a V-shape |
Habitat and Food Sources
Northern Flickers inhabit open woodlands, particularly those containing mature trees, snags, and open ground. They are often found along forest edges and in parks, cemeteries, golf courses, orchards, and suburban areas with large trees.
Dead and dying trees, known as snags, are important habitat for Northern Flickers. They excavate nest cavities in snags, and they feed on the ants and other insects that live inside them. A lack of appropriate nesting snags may limit Flicker populations in some areas.
Northern Flickers mainly eat insects, especially ants and beetles. They forage on the ground, lapping up ants with their barbed tongues. They also eat fruits and berries in fall and winter. Oaks, dogwoods, sumac, and wild cherry provide important food sources when insect prey is limited.
Northern Flicker Habitats
| Habitat | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Woodlands | Open mature forests and edges with snags and understory |
| Suburban Areas | Parks, cemeteries, golf courses with large old trees |
| Orchards | Areas with mature fruit trees |
Northern Flicker Food Sources
| Food | Details |
|---|---|
| Ants | Favorite insect food, lapped up with barbed tongue |
| Beetles | Other important insect prey |
| Fruits | Berries and fruits eaten in fall and winter |
Breeding and Nesting
Northern Flickers nest in tree cavities, excavating their own holes in dead trees or taking over old woodpecker holes. Nest sites are usually 10-30 feet above the ground on the south-facing side of a tree.
Flickers prefer to excavate nest cavities in soft snags of trees like cottonwood, willow, and aspen. The entrance is 2.5 to 5 inches wide, and the cavity is 14 to 18 inches deep. Cavities in live oak, sycamore, pecan, and pine trees are also used in some regions.
Excavation of the nest cavity can take up to 2 weeks. Both male and female Northern Flickers help excavate, often working together. They may roost in the cavity at night before eggs are laid.
The female Flicker lays a clutch of 5-8 glossy white eggs. Incubation lasts about 11-12 days. Both parents help incubate the eggs and feed the young. The chicks leave the nest at around 25-28 days.
Northern Flicker Nest Sites
| Nest Site | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Cavities excavated in soft snags 10-30 feet up |
| Favored Trees | Cottonwood, willow, aspen, oak, sycamore |
| Cavity | 2.5-5 inch entrance, 14-18 inches deep |
Threats and Conservation
Although still widespread, Northern Flicker populations have decreased across much of their range since the mid-1900s. Habitat loss is believed to be the primary reason for declining numbers.
Northern Flickers rely on mature open woodlands with adequate snags for nesting. Such habitat has declined due to forest fragmentation and a decrease in wildfires, which historically created snags. Lack of appropriate nesting cavities may limit Flicker numbers in some areas.
Increased urbanization and suburbanization have likely contributed to Flicker declines by reducing nest sites and insect food sources. Use of pesticides and herbicides also decreases the insect prey Northern Flickers rely on.
Competition with non-native species may also threaten Northern Flickers. European Starlings and House Sparrows often take over Flicker nest cavities. These species became established in North America in the late 1800s and their populations spread rapidly.
Threats to Northern Flickers
| Threat | Impact |
|---|---|
| Habitat loss | Reduced old-growth woodlands and snags |
| Urbanization | Decline of nest sites and insect prey |
| Pesticides | Reduced insect food sources |
| Non-native species | Competition for nest cavities |
To help conserve Northern Flicker populations, actions that preserve and restore their habitat are needed. Managing forests to maintain open understory, mature trees, and dead snags will benefit Flickers. Reducing pesticide use and controlling invasive species may also help.
Public education and engaging landowners to provide Flicker habitat on private lands are also conservation strategies recommended by experts. Though still fairly common, targeted conservation efforts will help ensure Northern Flickers remain a widespread species.
Conclusion
Northern Flickers are medium-sized woodpeckers found across much of North America. In Michigan, they are fairly common residents but have declined in recent decades due to habitat loss and competition with non-native species.
Northern Flickers prefer open woodlands with mature trees and snags. They excavate nest cavities in dead trees and feed on the ground primarily on ants and beetles. Their populations have decreased with habitat loss, but they remain widely distributed across Michigan.
Targeted conservation efforts focused on providing adequate breeding habitat will help stabilize Northern Flicker populations. Though not considered a rare species in Michigan currently, management is needed to ensure Northern Flickers do not become a species of conservation concern in the future.
