Have you been awakened in the wee hours of early morning by a loud drumming sound coming from your roof top, maybe from some metal around your chimney? Or, has a long repetitive call caused you to peek outside to see what bird is loudly announcing his presence?
Most likely, you are seeing and hearing the Northern Flicker, a large mostly-ground-feeding woodpecker that lives throughout North America. It wears a crazy combination of spots, stripes, and splats of different colors, almost Dr. Seussian. During breeding season, the males perch and drum on high perches in order to attract the attention of a future mate. Mated pairs use calls and drumming to communicate with each other.
A flicker is about 1-foot long from the top of bill to the end of tail. As one flies away, you can see a large white upper rump spot. The breast is spotted and the back is is barred. Watch their broad colorful wings as they fly in a gliding, undulating “U” pattern between strong wingbeats. Females have a black stripe (malar) sweeping down from the bill base, and the male’s malar is bright red. Ants are their main food and they spend a lot of time feeding on the ground. Flickers have super long sticky tongues that can be moved snakelike, inside an anthill. Learn more about woodpecker tongues and unique skulls at Why Woodpeckers Can Hammer Without Getting Headaches.
Flickers usually excavates nest cavities in dead or diseased tree trunks and large branches. Both sexes help build the nest, using their chisel-like bills to chip wood. Like all woodpeckers, they use their stiff, strong tail as a stability prop against the tree trunk. Flickers also refurbish existing cavities and use people-made nest boxes as ready-to-go nests. Good places to see northern flickers in the Wenatchee Valley are along the Apple Capital Loop Trail and in the Horan Natural Area.
Students of all ages can try out nature journaling activities while watching birds that are accustomed to being close to humans in our yards and neighborhoods. Check out these fun and free lesson activity ideas here. Read this National Audubon Society Audubon Adventures magazine Get To Know Birds. I’ve compiled many excellent bird learning curricula resources for all ages on this website.
Northern flickers can be troublesome to homeowners. I’d like to share some resources in case you need to deter this species from your using your roof or house exterior. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s WDFW Living with Wildlife series publication on Northern Flickers. includes a series of conflict prevention and deterrent steps. WDFW recommendations start with creative scare tactics to discourage drumming, including use of mylar streamers, hanging aluminum pie pans, or large black plastic spiders. Some clever homeowners have had success applying concoctions of tabasco sauce or chili powder to exterior surfaces being used by flickers. Additional deterrents include installation of barriers or application of paint-on products. The Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects northern flickers. Homeowners who need assistance with especially troublesome northern flickers can contact local state fish and wildlife department staff for support.