A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Colaptes auratus
There are over 100 common names for the Northern Flicker. Among them are: Yellowhammer, clape, gaffer woodpecker, harry-wicket, heigh-ho, wake-up, walk-up, wick-up, yarrup, and gawker bird. Many of these names are attempts at imitating some of its calls. This bird's call is a sustained laugh, ki ki ki ki. One may also hear a constant knocking as they often drum on trees or even metal objects to declare territory. Like most woodpeckers, Northern Flickers drum on objects as a form of communication and territory defense. In such cases, the object is to make as loud a noise as possible, and that’s why woodpeckers sometimes drum on metal objects. One Northern Flicker in Wyoming could be heard drumming on an abandoned tractor from a half-mile away.
My yard, on persimmon tree.
Spotted on Nov 2, 2012
Submitted on Nov 4, 2012
8 Comments
Thanks, Sarala!
Nice
Thanks, everyone. They are beautiful woodpeckers. Reza, they are not so small, measuring 28–36 cm (11–14 in) in length and 42–54 cm (17–21 in) in wingspan. This one was at the top of the tree, perhaps 25 feet up.
Great series! I love the spotted feathers on this bird!
Ow wow, what a charming little bird :)
Beautiful bird! Love the polka dots coat. :-)
One of my picture Holy Grails! We see woodpeckers alike this one in the woods near my house but they are always fast and too high for us to make a decent shot :-9
What amazing spotty plumage! :-)