Today’s photo features a female Northern Flicker I captured a few days ago while she was drinking from my birdbath here in Arkansas. I’ve been sharing many images of birds and squirrels at the birdbath, but seeing a Northern Flicker up close is a rare treat. It’s not often that I get to photograph one of these fascinating woodpeckers coming in for a drink.
Northern Flickers in Arkansas
Northern Flickers are fairly common woodpeckers across the state. They exhibit adaptability to various environments, which allows them to thrive in both natural and urban settings.
Habitat and Distribution
In Arkansas, Northern Flickers can be found in:
- Open woodlands and forest edges
- Fields with scattered trees
- City parks and suburban areas
- Streamside woods and marsh edges
This flexibility in habitat choice is one reason these birds have managed to maintain stable populations despite habitat changes.
Appearance and Identification
Northern Flickers have some key features that make them recognizable:
- About the size of an American Robin
- Black “bib” on the chest
- Spotted belly
- Brown overall coloration
The subspecies found in Arkansas is known as the “Yellow-shafted” Flicker. It has distinctive yellow underwings and undertail. While males display a red crescent on the nape of their necks, this feature is absent in females, like the one in the photos.
Behavior and Unique Traits
Northern Flickers differ from other woodpeckers in several ways:
- They frequently forage on the ground, digging for ants and beetles rather than just drilling into tree bark.
- When startled, they often perch on thin, horizontal branches instead of clinging vertically to tree trunks.
- Their flight pattern is characterized by an undulating motion, which makes them easy to identify from a distance.
Diet
Their primary diet includes:
- Ants, making up a large portion of their diet
- Beetles and other insects
- Fruits, berries, and seeds, especially during colder months
Nesting Habits
Flickers nest in cavities, usually in dead or diseased trees. Some nesting habits include:
- Excavating nest holes typically 6-15 feet above the ground
- Reusing old cavities from previous years
- Laying 5-8 eggs per clutch
Calls and Sounds
Northern Flickers have a unique sound profile, including:
- A loud, repetitive “wicka-wicka-wicka” call
- Drumming on resonant surfaces, which can be heard during breeding season
Conservation Status
Though populations have shown some decline since the 1960s, Northern Flickers are classified as a species of “Least Concern” by the IUCN. With an estimated population of 10-20 million across North America, they continue to be a significant part of the region’s bird diversity.
Final Thoughts
Seeing a Northern Flicker visit the birdbath was a delightful surprise. These birds’ behaviors, adaptability, and distinct calls make them a captivating species to observe, whether in forests or suburban backyards like mine.
For more information about Northern Flickers, check out All About Birds and Audubon.