The Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus is found throughout North America. This woodpecker is very shy but can be lured in to a suet feeder. It has a brown back with black stripes, and a beige front with black spots. Its head is grey, and the male has a red spot in the center of the back of his head.



There are two varieties of the northern flicker. The red-shafted has salmon colored underwings, while the yellow-shafted has yellow underwings.

The flicker is a very shy bird and races off at the mere thought of noise.



More Photos of the Flicker in a Tree

Flicker on the Ground Photos

The yellow-shafted flicker is the state bird of Alabama.

State Bird Listing
Birding Encyclopedia