Illustration from National Geographic's Field Guide to the Birds of North America
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus luteus
Subspecies of Northern Flicker
April 11, 1805, at Fort Mandan, North Dakota.
A large brownish woodpecker. Brown back with dark bars and spots; whitish or buff below with black spots; white rump, visible in flight. Eastern birds ("yellow-shafted flickers") have red patch on nape and yellow wing linings. Western birds ("red-shafted flickers") lack nape patch and have salmon-pink wing linings. Length: 12 in (30 cm).
A loud, repeated flicker or wicka-wicka-wicka; also a loud kleeer.
Open country with trees; parks and large gardens.
Resident from Alaska east through Manitoba to Newfoundland and south throughout United States. Northernmost birds are migratory.
