Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)

OTHER NAMES: Common Flicker, Yellow-shafted Flicker, Clape, Gaffer Woodpecker, Harry-wicket, Heigh-ho, Wake-up, Walk-up, Wick-up, Yarrup, Gawker Bird
Latin Etymology: Colaptes ("chiseller") auratus ("gilded")

Adult female Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) at Fort Peck, Montana, USA - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Colaptes auratus luteus
Weight: 86-167g  /  Length: 28-36cm  /  Wingspan: 42-54cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

One of the most common and widespread woodpeckers in North America and are something of an analogue to Green Woodpeckers in the UK in that they are a larger species that significantly feeds on the ground and has a large proportion of their diet consisting of ants. As with most woodpeckers, they are cavity nesters and have adapted well to human encroachment and can be found in parks and gardens.

Related Species:

Order: Piciformes

Family: Picidae

Genus: Colaptes

SUBSPECIES: C. a. auratus, C. a. luteus, C. a. chrysocaulosus, C. a. gundlachi, C. a. cafer, C. a. collaris, C. a. nanus, C. a. mexicanus, C. a. mexicanoides

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Present throughout the entire Lower 48 plus central Alaska
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Illinois, Minnesota and Montana

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto