northern flicker (Colaptes auratus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 10.5-11 inches

• Large woodpecker

• Brown back and wings barred with black

• Black crescent on upper breast

• Beige breast and belly spotted heavily with black

• White rump (obvious in flight)

• Tail dark above

• Two color forms, formerly separate species

"Yellow-shafted"

• Breeds in eastern United States and Canada

• Tail and underwings are entirely yellow below, and retricies and pri-       maries have yellow shafts

• Red crescent on nape

• Gray cap and nape

• Tan face, chin, and throat

• Adult male has black whisker

"Red-shafted"

• Breeds in western United States and Canada

• Tail and underwings are entirely red below, and retricies and primaries       have red shafts

• Brown crown

• Gray face

• Adult male has red whisker

Similar species:

The gilded flicker can be told from the "red-shafted flicker" by its yellow

underwings and from the "yellow-shafted flicker" by its lack of red at the

rear of the head, pale brown cap and pale gray face, a paler brown back,

and the male sports a red rather than black whisker.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Short distance migrant
Breeding Habitat: N/A
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: Cavity
Clutch Size: 3-10
Length of Incubation: 11-14? days
Days to Fledge: 25-28
Number of Broods: 1, 2 in south
Diet: Mostly insects; lesser quantities of fruit

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May C
      Su - Summer: June, July, August C
      Fall: September, October, November C

      Winter: December, January, February C

 

 

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