The Northern Flicker is a medium-sized woodpecker found in most of North America. This bird gets its name from the flashing white color on its wings and tail that can be seen when it flies. There are several different subspecies and regional forms of the Northern Flicker which vary slightly in appearance and habitat. The main types of Northern Flickers are the Yellow-shafted Flicker which inhabits eastern North America and the Red-shafted Flicker which inhabits western North America.
Yellow-shafted Flicker
The Yellow-shafted Flicker (Colaptes auratus auratus) is the most widespread subspecies of Northern Flicker. As its name suggests, it can be identified by the bright yellow feathers on its tail and underwings. This eastern subspecies has a gray face and a black crescent on the upper breast. Males have a red nape patch which is lacking in females. Yellow-shafted Flickers breed in deciduous and mixed forests across eastern North America. They excavate nest cavities in trees and feed on the ground, mainly eating ants and beetles which they find by probing in the dirt with their long, slightly curved bill.
Some key facts about Yellow-shafted Flickers:
Appearance
– Grayish brown upperparts with black bars and spots
– Pale brown underside with black spots
– Yellow tail feathers (shafts are yellow)
– Yellow underwings (shafts are yellow)
– Black crescent on upper breast
– Red nape patch on male
– White rump patch
Range
– Breeds in eastern North America from Manitoba to Nova Scotia and south to Texas and Florida
– Winters in southern parts of breeding range south to Gulf of Mexico
Habitat
– Deciduous and mixed forests
– Open woodlands
– Parks and suburban areas
Diet
– Mainly ants and beetles
– Also eats caterpillars, crickets, spiders
– Feeds on ground by probing in dirt
Nesting
– Excavates nest cavities in dead trees
– Lays 5-8 white eggs
– Parents care for young
– Young fledge in about 25-28 days
Red-shafted Flicker
The Red-shafted Flicker (Colaptes auratus cafer) inhabits forest and woodland areas in western North America. As its name indicates, this subspecies has red feathers on its tail and underwings rather than yellow. The red shafts contrast with its grayish plumage. It has a beige face and a red nape patch in males. The red feathers help differentiate the western Red-shafted Flicker from its eastern cousin. Red-shafted Flickers create nests in cavities just like Yellow-shafted Flickers and have very similar behavior and feeding habits.
Here are some key points about Red-shafted Flickers:
Appearance
– Grayish brown upperparts with black bars and spots
– Pale brown underside with black spots
– Red tail feathers (shafts are red)
– Red underwings (shafts are red)
– Beige face
– Red nape patch on male
– White rump patch
Range
– Breeds in western North America from Alaska to Baja California and east to the Rocky Mountains
– Winters in southern parts of breeding range to northwest Mexico
Habitat
– Coniferous and mixed forests
– Woodlands
– Semi-open areas with scattered trees
Diet
– Mainly ants and beetles
– Also eats caterpillars, crickets, spiders
– Feeds on ground by probing in dirt
Nesting
– Excavates nest cavities in dead trees
– Lays 5-8 white eggs
– Parents care for young
– Young fledge in about 25-28 days
Hybridization Between Red-shafted and Yellow-shafted Flickers
In areas where their breeding ranges overlap, primarily in the Great Plains region, Red-shafted Flickers and Yellow-shafted Flickers sometimes interbreed resulting in hybrids that show characteristics of both subspecies. These hybrid flickers display red wing shafts like the Red-shafted and yellow tail shafts like the Yellow-shafted. The extent of red versus yellow can be quite variable from one hybrid bird to the next. Hybrids tend to predominate in the transition zone around Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. East of this zone, Yellow-shafted traits prevail, while west of it, Red-shafted traits are more prominent.
Identifying Hybrid Flickers
– Reddish tail feathers (some yellow mixed in)
– Yellowish wing feathers (some red mixed in)
– Amount of red vs. yellow varies individually
– Rest of plumage like pure subspecies
– Found where ranges of the two subspecies meet
Range of Hybrid Flickers
– Most common in Great Plains transition zone
– Spread east and west from there to varying degrees
– Become pure parental forms away from hybrid zone
Gilded Flicker
The Gilded Flicker (Colaptes chrysoides) is a subspecies resident in the arid southwest of North America. It ranges across the Sonoran and Mohave desert regions of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Mexico. Gilded Flickers are specially adapted to desert conditions. They are generally lighter in color than other Northern Flickers and have pale yellow wing linings. The male Gilded Flicker has a red moustache stripe and golden-yellow underwings. Females lack the moustache mark and have less yellow on the wings.
Identification of Gilded Flicker
– Light brownish-gray plumage
– Pale yellow underwings and wing linings
– Red moustache stripe on male
– Golden-yellow underwings on male
– Lacks black crescent on breast
Desert Adaptations
– Paler color matches desert environment
– Can survive without drinking water
– Tolerates higher temperatures
– Feeds on desert ants and beetles
Range
– Sonoran and Mohave deserts
– Southeast California to Utah and New Mexico
– South to northwest Mexico
Comparison of Northern Flicker Subspecies
| Subspecies | Region | Tail Feathers | Wing Feathers | Face | Male’s Nape |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow-shafted Flicker | Eastern North America | Yellow | Yellow | Gray | Red |
| Red-shafted Flicker | Western North America | Red | Red | Beige | Red |
| Hybrid Flicker | Great Plains Region | Mix of red and yellow | Mix of red and yellow | Variable | Red |
| Gilded Flicker | Southwest deserts | Gray | Pale yellow | Gray | Red (male only) |
This table summarizes some of the main features that can be used to identify the different types of Northern Flicker. The subspecies vary in their plumage colors and the regions they inhabit across North America.
Behavioral Differences Between Subspecies
The various subspecies and hybrids of the Northern Flicker exhibit minor differences in their behavior in addition to their physical appearance:
Migration
– Yellow-shafted Flickers are more migratory, traveling farther south in winter
– Red-shafted Flickers are less migratory and more likely to stay in breeding range year-round
– Gilded Flickers are non-migratory due to their desert habitat
Habitat
– Yellow-shafted Flickers prefer deciduous forests and woodlands
– Red-shafted Flickers occur more in coniferous forests and mixed woodlands
– Gilded Flickers are specialized for treeless deserts
Nest Sites
– Yellow-shafted Flickers nest in holes in deciduous trees
– Red-shafted Flickers nest in holes in both deciduous and coniferous trees
– Gilded Flickers nest in cavities in giant cacti, trees, or even crevices in rocks
Vocalizations
– Call notes differ between subspecies – “kleer” in Yellow-shafted, “keer” in Red-shafted
– Hybrids give intermediate sounding call notes
So in summary, while the plumage differences are most noticeable, there are also subtle variations in behavior between the Northern Flicker subspecies that have adapted them to their local environments.
Conservation Status
None of the Northern Flicker subspecies are considered threatened or endangered currently. Their extensive range and stable populations provide resiliency. However, habitat loss in some regions from human development has caused localized declines. For example, the loss of mature Cottonwood trees impacts Gilded Flickers by reducing nest site availability. Protecting large tracts of forest habitat across North America and dead trees for nesting will benefit flickers into the future. Sustainable forestry practices that maintain suitable woodpecker habitat are also recommended. Continued monitoring of flicker populations and responses to climate change are warranted.
Population Trends
– Yellow-shafted Flickers are estimated at 13 million birds, stable range-wide
– Red-shafted Flickers estimated at 6.5 million birds, also largely stable
– Gilded Flickers small population around 140,000 birds but increases in recent decades
Conservation Actions
– Protect large contiguous forests
– Maintain dead standing trees for nesting
– Sustainable forestry practices
– Conserve riparian woodlands in dry regions
– Monitor responses to climate change
With appropriate conservation measures, the outlook for Northern Flickers remains positive. These handsome woodpeckers will continue brightening forests and backyards across North America for years to come.
Conclusion
Northern Flickers are a widespread woodpecker represented by several distinct regional subspecies. The Yellow-shafted Flicker inhabits eastern forests, the Red-shafted the West, hybrids in the Great Plains, and Gilded Flicker the Southwest deserts. Field identification involves noting plumage colors, especially on the wings, tail, and face. Behavior and habitat preferences also differ subtly between the subspecies. Maintaining suitable habitat will ensure healthy flicker populations. Their flashing flight and calls will remain a characteristic sight and sound in woodlands across North America with proper conservation.
