Northern Flickers
The Northern Flicker is a medium-sized bird of the woodpecker family. It is native to most of North America. Northern Flickers eat mainly insects, especially ants and beetles that they gather from the ground. They also eat fruit and seeds, especially in winter. Flickers often pursue ants underground (where the nutritious larvae live) hammering at the soil the way other woodpeckers drill into wood.
The flicker’s long beak, speckled chest and distinctive markings distinguish it from smaller birds. Its larger size and scalloped, sweeping motion in flight make it fun and easy to identify.
Length: 11.0=12.2 in.
Weight: 3.9-5.6 oz.
Wingspan: 16.5-20.1 in.
Northern Flicker guards the suet.
Hang on!
A flicker peeks from its nest in a tree.
Rose Collison
After retiring from Stockbridge Community Schools, Rose Collison joined the board of Stockbridge Community News. She serves as volunteer photographer and manages the Where’s Waldo contest. She and husband Ken have lived in the area for a number of years.