Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) (Colaptes auratus auratus)

About

The most terrestrial of our woodpeckers, the Northern Flicker spends a great deal of time on the ground, foraging for ants and other insects. Flickers are found year-round across most of the U.S., but a large population is migratory, and nests across most of Canada and Alaska. Two very distinct forms of the Northern Flicker--Yellow-shafted and Red-shafted--were considered separate species until the early 1980s. In the East, Yellow-shafted Flickers have yellow underwings and undertails, and males have a black mustache. The West's Red-shafted Flickers have red underwings and undertails, and males have red mustaches. Although they are still quite common, flickers and other cavity-nesters are experiencing some decline due to competition with the introduced and very aggressive European Starling.

Synonyms

• •Colaptes auratus luteus
• •Colaptes auratus auratus/luteus
• •YSFL

Links

• View taxon at iNaturalist
• View taxon at GBIF