Quick Answer
The gilded flicker and red-shafted flicker are two subspecies of the northern flicker woodpecker. The main differences between them are:
- Plumage – Gilded flickers have yellow/olive undersides, red mustaches and gray crowns. Red-shafted flickers have pink undersides, red mustaches and red crowns.
- Range – Gilded flickers are found in the southwest United States and Mexico. Red-shafted flickers are found in west of the Great Plains.
- Habitat – Gilded flickers prefer drier, open woods and deserts. Red-shafted flickers live in forests and woodlands.
- Voice – The calls/drumming of the gilded flicker are faster/higher pitched than the red-shafted.
- Behavior – Gilded flickers are less migratory than red-shafted flickers.
In summary, the two subspecies can primarily be distinguished by their plumage and geographic range. The gilded flicker is found in the arid southwest, while the red-shafted flicker is widespread in west/central North America.
The northern flicker is a large, distinctively-marked woodpecker found widely across most of North America. Northern flickers occupy an extremely large range and exist in diverse habitats. As such, they exhibit a high degree of geographic variation and are split into numerous subspecies. The two most widespread subspecies are the red-shafted flicker of the west and the yellow-shafted flicker of the east. However, another key subspecies is the gilded flicker which occupies the arid southwest United States and adjoining parts of Mexico. This article explores the differences and similarities between the gilded flicker and its close relative, the red-shafted flicker.
Taxonomy and Identification
The gilded flicker (Colaptes chrysoides) and the red-shafted flicker (Colaptes auratus cafer) are subspecies of the widespread Northern flicker (Colaptes auratus). They are large woodpeckers measuring 28-33 cm (11-13 inches) long with wingspans of 46-58 cm (18-23 inches). Standard plumage features of Northern flickers include brown barred upperparts, buff or brown underparts with black spots, a brown tail with yellow or red under-tail coverts, and striking black cheek and nape patches. Northern flickers of all subspecies exhibit unique plumage markings such as a black crescent across the upper breast and bold white rump patches conspicuous in flight.
In terms of field identification, the gilded flicker can be distinguished from the red-shafted by its olive-yellow underside coloration, flesh-colored rather than red mustache stripe, and gray rather than red crown. The gilded flicker’s reddish nape crescent is also smaller than the red-shafted’s. In flight, the most obvious difference is the gilded’s plain yellow rather than red-tinged underwings and under-tail coverts.
Subtle differences in vocalizations also exist. Red-shafted flickers make a loud, rolling call described as “wik-wikwik-wikwik” whereas gildeds utter a faster, higher-pitched “klu-klu-klu”. Drummings of gilded flickers are also more rapid in tempo compared to red-shafted.
Plumage Differences
| Feature | Gilded Flicker | Red-shafted Flicker |
|---|---|---|
| Crown | Gray | Red |
| Nape Crescent | Small, reddish | Large, red |
| Mustache | Flesh-colored | Red |
| Undersides | Olive-yellow | Pinkish |
| Underwings | Yellow | Reddish |
| Under-tail | Yellow | Red |
Range and Habitat
The gilded flicker is native to the arid regions of southwestern United States and adjoining Mexico. Its breeding range centers on Arizona and New Mexico and extends into areas of Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California and western Texas. These birds are permanent residents across most of their range. Some northern populations migrate short distances south and west during the winter months.
By contrast, the red-shafted flicker occupies a broad swath of western North America from Alaska across Canada to the Great Plains. Its breeding range stretches from coastal and interior forests west of the Rocky Mountains to the boreal forests of Alaska and Canada. Northern populations migrate south to the western and central United States during winter. Compared to gilded flickers, red-shafted flickers have a more northerly distribution and exhibit longer migratory movements.
Range Map
| Figure 1 – Approximate breeding and year-round ranges of the gilded flicker (orange) and red-shafted flicker (blue) in North America. |
In terms of habitat preferences, gilded flickers thrive in relatively open and arid pine-oak woodlands, scrubby deserts washes, and canyon country of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. They tend to prefer drier habitats than red-shafted flickers. The latter occupy a wider range of forested habitats across western North America including both deciduous and coniferous forests as well as riparian woodlands. Red-shafted flickers are more associated with dense, moist forest ecosystems than their desert-dwelling gilded relatives.
Behavioral Differences
Northern flickers of all kinds share similar behaviors and lifestyle attributes. They forage on the ground for ants and other insects, excavate nest cavities in trees, and exhibit conspicuous flight patterns and vocalizations. However, some subtle behavioral differences exist between gilded and red-shafted flickers.
Gilded flickers are non-migratory through most of their range and do not form large flocks outside of the breeding season. Red-shafted flickers have more migratory populations and congregate in larger flocks in fall and winter. In courtship, gilded flicker displays seem to involve more bowing, nodding and singing compared to red-shafted flickers. Gildeds also utilize a faster drumroll-like knocking call than red-shafteds.
When excavating nests, gilded flickers tend to select smaller diameter saguaro cacti more frequently than red-shafted flickers select tree nest sites. Gilded flicker nest holes are also excavated faster (about 2 weeks) compared to red-shafted nests (3-4 weeks). This may correlate with the harder wood of arid-adapted cacti vs. softer, wetter trees utilized by red-shafteds.
Finally, gilded flickers exhibit slightly different feeding behaviors and food preferences compared to red-shafteds. Gildeds feed more extensively on cactus fruits and seem to be more terrestrial, foraging more on ground ant colonies. Red-shafted flickers obtain a higher fraction of their diet from trees – fruit, seeds and arboreal ants. These variations in nest sites, substrate use and food likely reflect adaptations to the different desert vs. forest habitats occupied by these two subspecies.
Intergradation Between Subspecies
Across some parts of their respective ranges, gilded and red-shafted flickers intergrade with intermediate plumage traits. For example, in Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming, flickers exhibit a mix of characters like pale yellow underparts but a red mustache or crown patch. Introgression and interbreeding between the subspecies is extensive across this zone of intergradation centered on the Colorado Plateau region.
The variation and blending of morphological features in these overlap areas likely reflects the subspecies’ incomplete reproductive isolation and recent evolutionary divergence. Gilded and red-shafted flickers separated during the Pleistocene era when drier, warmer climates led to geographic isolation as woodland habitats receded. However, secondary contact followed during wetter Holocene conditions which allowed the subspecies ranges to expand and reconnect across the western U.S. This complex history is reflected by the dynamic hybrid zone observed today where intergradation is common.
Taxonomic Considerations
The close evolutionary relationship and extensive interbreeding between gilded and red-shafted flickers raises debate regarding their subspecies classification. Some ornithologists argue their modest physical and behavioral differences warrant placing the two forms as separate species (C. chrysoides vs. C. cafer). Others contend the clinal nature of variation and genetic exchange across their hybrid zones supports subspecies status under a single polytypic Northern Flicker species. Much of their geographic separation occurred recently so complete reproductive isolation has not yet evolved.
More study is needed to determine if any genetic, morphological or ecological factors maintain isolation between pure populations of each subspecies within their core ranges. Preserving these distinct forms and their desert- vs. forest-adapted traits remains an important consideration for conservation. For now, most authorities continue to designate gilded and red-shafted flickers as subspecies while recognizing they represent an intriguing example of incipient speciation among North American birds.
Conclusion
In summary, gilded and red-shafted flickers exhibit a suite of differences in plumage, range, habitat, and behavior that distinguish them as subspecies of the widespread Northern Flicker complex. Key field marks separating the two forms include the gilded’s gray crown, flesh-colored mustache, yellow underparts, and smaller nape crescent compared to the red-shafted’s red head and underparts. Gilded flickers occupy desert scrublands of the U.S. Southwest and Mexico while red-shafted birds inhabit forests and woodlands across western North America. Behaviorally, gilded flickers are less migratory, nest in different substrates like cactus, and utilize slightly different foraging habits adapted to desert environments.
However, in areas of Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico, the subspecies intergrade significantly with intermediate plumage traits reflecting their close evolutionary relationship and past hybridization. Taxonomists continue to recognize gilded and red-shafted flickers as subspecies while acknowledging the potential for speciation exists given their modest degree of isolation across much of their respective ranges. Further study of their population genetics and ecology will shed light on this unique avian hybrid zone.
