Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus · Woodpeckers
The Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) is a distinctive woodpecker found across North America, recognized by its brown plumage and a conspicuous white rump patch visible in flight. Unlike many woodpeckers, it spends a significant amount of time foraging on the ground. This species exhibits regional color variations, particularly in the underwing and tail feathers.
Explore the full field guideMigratoryMedium-sizedVaried callsGround forager
23 calls·first heard Jul 5·last 2d ago
When it's heardpeak 6a · fall
5a12p9p
How to know it
- Overall brown with black barring on the back, a black crescent on the upper breast, and black spots on the belly.
- Eastern populations (Yellow-shafted) display bright yellow underwings and undertail, while western birds (Red-shafted) show salmon-pink or red.
- Males have a mustache stripe: black in Yellow-shafted forms and red in Red-shafted forms. Females lack this stripe.
- A prominent white patch on the rump is visible during its undulating flight and often when perched.