Northern Flicker

Colaptes auratus

Northern Flicker. Photo:Dr. Lloyd Glenn Ingles

This large, active woodpecker is common throughout much of Canada. Although different colour forms exist, most northern flickers have a red streak extending from the corner of the beak. With strong, grasping claws and rigid tail feathers, flickers are able to climb vertically up tree trunks, where they extract insects with their beak.

Distribution of Northern Flicker in Canada