MDI Birds
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    Northern Flicker / Colaptes auratus

    : Breeds. late Apr-mid Sep in open woodlands. Easily located mid Apr-mid May when vocalizing during pair formation and territory defense.

    : though relatively inconspicuous mid Apr-mid May with from mid Mar and a mid-late Apr peak. and conspicuous mid Sep-mid Oct, especially overhead for the first hour after sunrise, with a late Sep-early Oct peak and to late Nov.

    : early Dec-early Mar with most records Dec-Jan but individuals have successfully overwintered, mostly at bird feeders but also in low snow years in the wilds; see Jan 27, 2024.

    Miscellany: Northern Flickers are the primary creators of the nest holes used by a range of cavity nesting species incapable of excavating their own including waterfowl, owls and larger songbirds. Unlike other North American woodeckers, flickers forage mostly on the ground feeding on ants, beetles and seasonal berries. Our Northern Flickers have brilliant yellow underwing and tail. In Northern Flickers living west of the Rocky Mountains and south of Alaska, these feathers are salmon pink.

    Last Updated: February 9th, 2024