What sound does a gilded flicker make?

The gilded flicker (Colaptes chrysoides) is a large woodpecker found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is known for its distinctive vocalizations and striking plumage. In this article, we will explore the different sounds made by the gilded flicker and what they communicate.

Gilded Flicker Call

The most common vocalization of the gilded flicker is a loud, ringing “klee-yer.” This territorial call is often described as loud, clear, and far-carrying. It is typically given while perched or in flight and serves to proclaim ownership of a nesting territory and attract a mate.

The gilded flicker has a very large repertoire of calls. Some variations on the “klee-yer” call include a faster “kleekleeklee,” a shorter “klee,” and a whistled “quee-yer.” Regional dialects exist, with slight variations in the tone and pitch of calls between different populations.

In addition to territorial proclamations, the “klee-yer” call can communicate alarm, with a faster tone indicating a higher degree of alarm. Flickers may also emit the call quietly to maintain contact with a mate or fledglings.

Drumming

Another important sound in the gilded flicker’s repertoire is drumming. Drumming is produced by rapidly hammering the bill against a resonant surface, such as a dead tree branch. The drumming patterns help convey territorial displays, courtship, and communication between mates.

When drumming to proclaim a territory, the flicker uses slow, evenly spaced taps, often for long periods of time. In courtship, the drumming is faster, with a more irregular rhythm. Females may also drum softly or combine drumming with calls when communicating with their mate.

The tone and resonance of the drumming depends on the surface chosen. Drumming on wood creates a sonorous, reverberating tone, while drumming on softer surfaces like yucca plants creates a muffled thump.

Nestling Calls

Nestling gilded flickers produce several sounds distinct from the adults. Hungry nestlings give high-pitched peeping or squealing calls to beg for food from the parents. Quieter chirping or grunting sounds help keep nest mates together in the dark cavity nest.

As the nestlings mature, their calls shift to mimic the adult “klee-yer” territorial call. This helps the parents recognize and feed the fledglings once they leave the nest. The young birds continue to refine their calls until they match typical adult vocalizations.

Wing Sounds

The gilded flicker’s flight feathers have soft, hair-like fringes that muffle the sound of flight. Despite their large size, flickers in flight make only a muted, velvety whirring sound as they fly from tree to tree.

However, the outer primary feathers do produce a twittering or rattling sound in courtship displays. Males perform zig-zagging flights low over the ground, quickly beating the wings to create a twittering, mechanical rattle.

Bill Clattering

Like other woodpeckers, gilded flickers sometimes make a rapid clattering sound with their bill. This mechanical ratcheting occurs during aggressive encounters, as a warning to intruding birds.

To make the sound, the flicker opens its bill wide and vibrates its lower mandible against the upper mandible. The ratchetingbill clatter serves as a threat display, signaling the flicker’s readiness to fight.

When Do Gilded Flickers Vocalize?

Gilded flickers are most vocal in the breeding season from spring through early summer. Territorial calls and drumming displays peak during courtship and nesting periods.

Drumming sessions are most frequent in early morning and late afternoon. Calling may occur at any time of day but is most intense around dawn and dusk.

Vocalizations drop off after the breeding period ends. However, flickers may still emit occasional territorial calls throughout the year, especially in response to intruders.

Regional Dialects

There are subtle differences in gilded flicker vocalizations across their geographic range. Flickers in Arizona make a slightly higher-pitched “klee-yer” call versus a lower “clee-urrr” in Texas populations.

In parts of Mexico, the whistled “quee-yer” call is more prominent. These regional dialects likely help flickers identify birds from their own population within the larger range.

Mimicry

The gilded flicker has a strong capacity for vocal mimicry. They frequently incorporate sounds from other species into their repertoire. Mimicked calls include those of red-tailed hawks, northern flickers, and other woodpeckers.

Mimicry may function to deter potential nest competitors. For example, mimicking a hawk call may scare away other cavity nesters. It can also be used in aggression between flickers, with one bird mimicking another’s call.

Responding to Recordings

Gilded flickers respond strongly to audio recordings of their calls. Taped gilded flicker vocalizations can effectively lure birds in for observation, banding studies, and population surveys.

Both males and females will readily fly toward speakers playing gilded flicker sounds. They also respond to drumming mimicked by beating on wood or other resonant surfaces.

Comparisons with Other Woodpecker Sounds

The calls of the gilded flicker are louder, clearer, and more far-carrying than many other woodpeckers. Only the pileated woodpecker’s rolling call carries farther.

Other desert woodpeckers, like the Gila woodpecker, have shorter, more clipped calls. The gilded flicker produces longer, ringing vocalizations that can be heard over 500 meters away in open habitats.

The drumming patterns of gilded flickers are slower in tempo than many woodpeckers. The ladder-backed woodpecker, for example, drums short fast bursts, while gilded flickers drum steady, drawn out tattoos.

Conclusion

With its varied vocalizations and adaptations for hot, desert environments, the gilded flicker has a unique sound repertoire among North American woodpeckers. The territorial “klee-yer” call rings out across cactus forests and canyonlands, proclaiming ownership and attracting mates.

Drumming serves to reinforce their bond once pairs form. Softer calls and wing sounds add to the acoustic landscape. And mimicry reveals their intelligence, as gilded flickers incorporate other species into their acoustic displays.

The far-carrying, melodious calls of the gilded flicker will continue to roll across the Southwest, signaling persistence of this beautiful species.