ExploreBird

Northern Flicker

Colaptes auratus

The Northern Flicker is a fun and colorful bird! They love to peck on the ground for ants and beetles, making them unique among woodpeckers.

Habitat: Forests and open fields

Appearance

The Northern Flicker has a brownish body with black barring on its back and a distinct black crescent on its chest. Its underparts are white with round black spots. In flight, a flash of white on its rump is visible, along with yellow or red underwings, depending on the region.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPiciformesFamilyPicidaeGenusColaptes

Northern Flicker

Interesting facts

Different flickers are yellow or red under their wings!

Flickers can bang their heads 15 times a second without injury!

They can extend their sticky tongue up to 2 inches beyond their beak!

They sometimes nest inside old buildings or even mailboxes!

Special abilities

Northern Flicker has an incredibly long, barbed tongue that helps them reach deep into ant tunnels to catch insects.

Northern Flicker can forage mainly on the ground, a unique trait among woodpeckers, because they love to eat ants.

Northern Flicker can communicate by drumming rapidly on trees or even metal objects to attract mates or mark territory.

Measurements & details

Length: 31-35 cm
Wingspan: 42-51 cm
Weight: 0.1-0.16 kg
Lifespan: 5-12 years
Top Speed: 55 km/h
Clutch Size: 5-8
Incubation: 11-12 days
Migration Distance: 2500 km

Diet & Feeding

This bird loves to eat ants and other insects it finds on the ground or in dead wood.

Primary Foods

Ants
Beetles
Termites
Caterpillars
Berries
Seeds

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Adults can be prey.

depends on

European Starling

Sturnus vulgaris

Competes for nesting cavities.

eats

Black Garden Ant

Lasius niger

A favorite food source.

eats

Staghorn Sumac

Rhus typhina

Feeds on winter berries.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Feathered

These are animals covered in soft, beautiful feathers that help them fly, stay warm, and even attract mates! Think of all the amazing birds you know.

Aerial

Discover amazing creatures that spend much of their lives soaring high above the ground, often using wings to fly! They might hunt, travel, or even sleep up in the sky.

Singing

Listen to the beautiful sounds of nature's singers! These animals use their voices to attract friends, mark their territory, or even warn others.

Insectivorous

Discover clever creatures that specialize in munching on insects, playing a super important role in keeping bug populations in check. They are nature's tiny bug vacuums!