The Northern Flicker is an unusual woodpecker that forages primarily on the ground, using its curved bill to dig for ants and beetles. In flight it flashes a conspicuous white rump patch and, depending on subspecies, yellow or salmon-red underwings. It is one of the few migratory woodpeckers, moving southward from northern breeding areas each autumn.
Best time to see a Northern Flicker
The best time to see a Northern Flicker is January–July, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 108,293 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Northern Flicker? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Northern Flicker sightings near you
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