Northern Flicker Similar Species Comparison

Main SpeciesNorthern Flicker

Male (Yellow-shafted)

Large woodpecker with a black bib and spotted belly. Males in the East have a red nape, a black whisker, and yellow shafts on the flight and tail feathers.

Male (Red-shafted)

Males in the West have a red whisker while those in the East have a black whisker. The upperparts are mostly brownish-gray with black barring. White rump sometimes visible while perched.

Adult male (Red-shafted)

A large woodpecker with black barring on the back, a spotted belly, and a black band across the breast. Male "Red-shafted" Northern Flicker has a gray face with a red whisker. Frequently seen on the ground.

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Female (Yellow-shafted)

In flight note the white rump patch. Birds in the East flash yellow shafts on the flight feathers and tail.

Male (Red-shafted)

In flight, its white rump contrasts with the rest of the plumage. Individuals in the West have red shafts to the flight feathers and tail that are usually obvious in flight.

Adult female (Yellow-shafted)

In spring and summer, rivals may face off with bills pointed upward in a display sometimes called a "fencing duel." The "Yellow-shafted" Northern Flicker has a tan face with a gray crown. Both "Yellow-shafted" and "Red-shafted" females lack males' facial whiskers.

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Male (Yellow-shafted)

Shows a bold white rump in flight.

Male (Red-shafted)

The red underside of the tail can be obvious from certain angles on perched birds. Note the red whisker on males in the West.

Adult male (Yellow-shafted)

Male "Yellow-shafted" Northern Flicker has black facial whiskers (as opposed to the red whiskers of male "Red-shafted"). In addition to their terrestrial foraging habits, Northern Flickers also dust bathe and "ant"—intentionally smear ants over their feathers—on the ground.

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Male (Yellow-shafted)

Regularly forages on the ground.

Female (Red-shafted)

Found in a wide variety of both open and wooded habitats.

Adult male (Red-shafted)

Common calls include a loud "clear." Note the red underwings and white rump as the bird takes flight.

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Similar SpeciesGilded Flicker

Male

Gilded Flickers of southern Arizona have yellow under the wings and tail while Northern Flickers in the western U.S. have red under the wings and tail. Gilded Flickers also have more brown on the crown and nape than Northern Flickers which have more gray on the crown and nape.

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Similar SpeciesGilded Flicker

Female

Female Gilded Flickers have more extensive brown on the crown and nape that female Northern Flickers. They have yellow under the wings and tail while Northern Flickers in the western U.S. have red under the wings and tail.

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