Birds › Northwest forest › Northern Flicker

Northern Flicker

Colaptes auratus

A woodpecker that feeds on the ground, licking up ants with a long, barbed tongue.

Where to see it for real: Leave ant hills on the lawn; it also comes to suet.

Spot it in the game

Lives in the Northwest forest habitat (Pacific Northwest, Washington State).

Northern Flicker facts

Family

Woodpeckers

Length

12 in (31 cm)

Wingspan

20 in (50 cm)

Weight

4.6 oz (130 g)

Diet

Mostly ants and beetles dug from the ground, plus berries and seeds.

Range

Nearly all of North America, from Alaska to Mexico, and Cuba.

Nest

A hole in a dead tree or post, lined with wood chips.

Song

A loud, rolling "wik-wik-wik" and a sharp "kyeer" call.

Active

by day

Status

Least Concern on the IUCN Red List: widespread and not at risk.

What the Northern Flicker sounds like

How to attract the Northern Flicker

Feeder foods, favorite first: suet, sunflower seed. Feeders that hold them: suet cage, tube feeder and platform feeder. Keep a bird bath full, too.

In the game: fill a feeder with suet and sunflower seed and keep the bird bath full. It is a common visitor.

More: bird songs and calls, what to feed birds.

More birds of the northwest forest

Steller's JayNorthwest forestVaried ThrushNorthwest forestSpotted TowheeNorthwest forestChestnut-backed ChickadeeNorthwest forestPacific WrenNorthwest forestRed-breasted NuthatchNorthwest forest