Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)

Description
The northern flicker reaches a height of 12 to 13 inches (30 to 33 cm), with an 18- to 21-inch (45 to 53 cm) wingspan. It has a gray-brown back with dark spots and a red crescent at the nape of the neck. The northern flicker is the only member of the woodpecker species with a brown-colored back. Other distinguishing characteristics include a pale breast with black spots; crescent-shaped patch at the base of the throat; white rump; yellow breast and undersides of their wings (but red in western populations); and downward curving bill. Its white rump patch flashes as it flies, hence, "flicker." It is the only woodpecker that feeds on the ground.
Life History
Ants and other insects, nuts, fruit and seeds make up the northern flicker's diet. Its predators include raccoons, feral cats, and hawks. The northern flicker reaches sexual maturity at one year. Its mating season lasts from February through July. Nests are excavated in dead trees or dead portions of living trees, generally 6 to 20 feet (1.8 to 6 m) above the ground, but as high as 100 feet (30 m). The nest's entrance is about 2.75 inches (7 cm) in diameter. Females usually lay five to eight eggs, which hatch after 11 to 16 days. Young leave the nest about four weeks after hatching. Under ideal conditions, two broods may be raised in one season. Northern flickers live up to 12 years.

Northern flickers are diurnal (most active during the daylight hours). Although diurnal, these birds tend to migrate at night, with weather determining both migration rates and departure dates. When mating, the males flash their bright bellies, breasts and rump patches, flap their wings, and swing their heads back and forth. Northern flickers will take advantage of an existing nest site or man-made nest boxes. Both parents contribute to nest construction and incubation.

The genus name Colaptes is from the Greek word colapt and means "peck", which is, after all, what woodpeckers do best. The species, auratus, is from the Latin root aurat, meaning "gold" or "golden" and refers to its underwing.
Habitat
Flickers like woodlands, especially where dead or partially dead trees for nesting sites can be found. Northern flickers tend to avoid unbroken or dense forests, preferring to forage for food in open areas.
Distribution
The "yellow-shafted flicker" (yellow under wings) migrates from Alaska to Nicaragua. In parts of Texas, they are year-round residents. The "red-shafted flicker" (red under wings) migrates shorter distances.
Other
In the Civil War (1860-1865), Confederate soldiers from Alabama were called "Yellowhammers" because of the yellow cloth on their uniforms. It apparently reminded other soldiers of the underwings of "yellowhammers" or northern flickers. Once common across much of the United States, northern flicker populations appear to be falling. Loss of suitable feeding and nesting sites due to logging and development are no doubt making an impact on this species. Northern flickers' fondness of ants has created another problem-a number of them have died after consuming ants contaminated with insecticides. One northern flicker's stomach contained almost 2,000 ants.