Fauna Flora Photography

Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus

Common bird seen in many parks around Montreal and the only migratory woodpecker. Diet depends mostly on insects. Males can be identified by its black bars on each side of the head and breast.

How to Identify

Northern Flicker is grey brown with horizontal dark stripes on the back and a red bar on the back of the head. When flying, they display the in German and French name giving yellow color below the wings.

Northern Flicker Trivia

Is the Northern Flicker an endangered species?

No, the Northern Flicker is not considered an endangered species. In fact, it is a widespread and common woodpecker species found throughout North America, and its populations are generally stable.

Does the Northern Flicker have a worldwide distribution?

No, Northern Flickers are not found worldwide. However, this bird species has a broad range within North America and can be spotted across the continent, including the United States, Canada, and parts of Mexico.

Is the Northern Flicker a migratory bird?

Yes, the Yellow-shafted Flicker variant, more commonly found in the eastern and northern parts of North America, is migratory. These birds migrate south for the winter, often traveling to the southern United States or even into Central America.

Does the Northern Flicker have a long lifespan?

Yes, the Northern Flicker has a relatively extended lifespan for a bird. On average, they can live for 6 to 7 years in the wild. However, some individuals have been known to exceed this, with recorded lifespans of up to 9 or 10 years.

Is the Northern Flicker the largest woodpecker in North America?

No, it is a medium-sized woodpecker with a height of 30-35 cm and a wingspan of 42-54 cm. In the Montreal area and much of North America, the Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker species.

Is the Northern Flicker a carnivore?

No, it is an omnivorous bird. Northern Flickers primarily feed on a diverse diet that includes insects, particularly ants and beetles, which they often find by foraging on the ground. However, they also consume fruits and seeds, classifying them as omnivores.

Does the Northern Flicker exhibit sexual dimorphism?

Yes, males and females of this species have observable differences in their characteristics. Male Northern Flickers typically have a black mustache mark, along with a black or "crescent-shaped" mark on their chest and a red patch on the back of their neck.

Is the Northern Flicker a territorial bird?

No, Northern Flickers can exhibit territorial behavior during the breeding season as they establish and defend their nest sites by engaging in drumming to communicate and protect these areas. However, during other times of the year, they are not territorial.

Do Northern Flickers build their nests in tree cavities?

Yes, but the Northern Flicker is an opportunistic nester, and their choice of nesting site can depend on the availability of suitable locations in their habitat, including fence posts, utility poles, and similar structures.

Is the Northern Flicker a vocal bird?

No, Northern Flickers are not known for being highly vocal birds compared to some other species, but they do produce a variety of calls and sounds. Their vocalizations serve various purposes, including communication, mate attraction, and territory defense.

Are Northern Flicker males and females involved in parenting?

Yes, Northern Flickers typically exhibit cooperative parenting behavior in nest excavation, incubation, feeding the chicks, defense of the nesting area, and fledging care.

Are Northern Flickers popular among birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts?

Yes, there are several reasons for their popularity: distinctive appearance, interesting behavior, vocalizations during the breeding season, wide distribution, and urban tolerance.

Where and When to Spot

In parks around Montreal from mid-spring till autumn. Although reported feeding on the ground, I never was able to observe this behavior. Usually, I spot them in the upper section of large trees.

Where and when a species has been observed, identified, and recorded.

Last updated on 2024-03-14. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.