

The Northern Flicker is a native to North America, they are the largest terrestrial or land woodpecker found throughout the continent. They are one of the few woodpeckers that are strongly migratory, for example, flickers in the north may move south for the winter. Their main food source is ants. They can be found climbing in trees looking for ants or on the ground digging in the dirt for them. They generally nest in holes in trees, they will reuse the cavities from precious years or of other species. They will drum on objects, other than trees, as a form of communication and territory defense. One example is drumming on light posts. In the western species (see photos), the males have a red malar or mustache marking, while females do not.
King of all he sees! Great shot, Tracy. I was surprised the first time I saw one in Arizona — it looked exactly the ones we have in Alberta. We have the yellow-shafted variety here. I sometimes see them sitting on the huge ant hills hunting for food.
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Thank you. Flickers rock!
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