Northern Flicker

Male Northern Flicker on aspen tree.

NPS Photo / Rachel Ames

Size: 11-12”
Description: Tan-brown overall with a gray head, black crescent on the chest, black bars on the wings, buff colored underparts with black spots, and a white rump patch that is conspicuous in flight. The “Red-shafted” Flicker is the most common subspecies in the Park, and they have orange-red on the undersides of the wing and tail feathers. Males have a bright red mustache stripe.
Migratory Status: Year-round residents of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Habitat: Live in a variety of habitats but prefer to breed in aspen, riparian and coniferous forests to 12,000 feet.
Diet: Forage from the ground and from small rocks and dead trees. Eat mostly insects including ants and beetles, but also eat fruits and seeds.

 

• Northern Flicker (call)

  
  

  Northern Flicker call recorded in Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park.

  Credit / Author:

  J. Job

  Date created:

  10/14/2020

 

• Northern Flicker (rattle call)

  
  

  Northern Flicker call recorded in Upper Beaver Meadows in Rocky Mountain National Park.

  Credit / Author:

  J. Job

  Date created:

  10/14/2020

 

• Northern Flicker (call)

  
  

  Northern Flicker call recorded on the Cow Creek Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. Note that a Pine Siskin can also be heard in the recording.

  Credit / Author:

  J. Job

  Date created:

  10/14/2020

 

• Northern Flicker (rattle call)

  
  

  Northern Flicker call recorded in Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park.

  Credit / Author:

  J. Job

  Date created:

  10/14/2020