Northern Flicker -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 12.5 - 14 inches | Wingspan: 19 - 21 inches | Seasonality: All Seasons |
| ID Keys: Dependant on form, with black or red mustache, brownish back with black bars, buffy belly with spots | ||
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Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
Two forms occur, the yellow-shafted and the red-shafted. The two forms have similar bodies but different color patterns on the head. The red-shafted is generally found in the western half of the U.S., while the yellow-shafted is generally found in the eastern half. There is a broad zone, including South Dakota, where interbreeding between the two forms create a wide variety of intermediates. Unlike many other woodpeckers, Northern Flickers can often be found on the ground as they feed on their favorite food, ants.
Habitat: Can be found in almost any habitat with trees, but tends to avoid dense unbroken forest.
Diet: Mostly insects, especially ants. Also eats fruits and berries, especially in the winter, and occasionally seeds and nuts.
Nesting: Last week of May through Mid July.
Breeding map: Breeding bird survey map
Song: Northern Flicker Song, also Northern Flicker Call
Migrations: Flickers in northern part of their range (Canada, northern U.S.) do migrate, but some overwinter in the state.
Birdhouses: Will nest in houses and boxes.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Northern Flicker.
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Northern Flicker"
3) E-nature.com: Northern Flicker
Photo Information: May 17th, 2004 -- Ground of the EROS Data Center near Sioux Falls -- Terry Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Northern Flicker photos.
| Additional Northern Flicker Photos | ||
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| Northern Flicker 1 | Northern Flicker 2 | Northern Flicker 3 |
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| Northern Flicker 4 |
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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08