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Northern Flicker Specimen detail

Northern Flicker (formerly known as Red-Shafted Flicker) (Colaptes auratus cafer)

The Northern Flicker is a species of woodpecker commonly found throughout the United States. Many woodpeckers use their chisel-shaped bills to hammer into tree trunks and remove exterior bark. The small curve in the Northern Flicker’s bill allows it to dig into the ground to find ants and other small insects, which are its primary source of food. The Northern Flicker has two regional races: the Eastern yellow-shafted Flicker and the Western red-shafted Flicker shown here were once considered to be separate species based on color.

Zion National Park, ZION 229

Northern Flicker Specimen back detail
Northern Flicker Specimen front detail