H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

This bird has been one of the most difficult to photograph while being in my backyard. I’m referring to the Northern Flicker. It walks more than it flies, forages on the ground and seeks mostly for insects being its primary diet, loves ants mainly. Eats nuts, berries, seeds also includes in its diet, flies, butterflies, moths, beetles and snails.

They can walk very fast through the grassy areas and pick all their favorite meals. If the grass is tall you’ll miss them completely from sight.

The Northern Flicker is a medium-sized member of the woodpecker family. It is native to most of North America, parts of Central America, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and is one of the few woodpecker species that migrate. There are known under many names in  parts of the Country.

• The Yellow-shafted Flicker (Colaptes auratus auratus) resides in eastern North America. They are yellow under the tail and underwings and have yellow shafts on their primaries. They have a grey cap, a beige face and a red bar at the nape of their neck. Males have a black moustache. Colaptes comes from the Greek verb colapt, to peck. Auratus is from the Latin root aurat, meaning “gold” or “golden” and refers to the bird’s underwing.

Under the name “Yellowhammer” it is the state bird of Alabama.

Next, I got some pictures for you of these scurrying birds. Enjoy!

Text and photographs © HJ Ruiz – Avian101