Overview Of The Guatemalan Red-Shafted Flicker
The Guatemalan Red-shafted Flicker is a distinctive woodpecker species found in the highlands of southern Mexico and Central America. Its unique characteristics and distribution have led some authorities to consider it a separate species, often referred to as the Guatemalan Flicker.
Here is an overview of this beautiful bird.
Want to learn more about bird subspecies:
Scientific Classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Piciformes
- Family: Picidae
- Genus: Colaptes
- Species: Auratus
- Subspecies: Mexicanoides (Guatemalan Red-shafted Flicker)
Identification
As the name suggests, the Guatemalan red-shafted flicker occupies the highlands of southern Mexico and Central America. Its range extends from southern Tamaulipas in Mexico through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and western Nicaragua.
It is found in pine-oak forests, open woodlands, parks, and gardens at elevations between 900-3000 meters.
Location
These Guatemalan Flicker is predominantly found in the highlands of southern Mexico and Central America, including Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua.
Unique Traits
The Guatemalan red-shafted flicker can be distinguished from the northern flicker by its brighter red underwing and tail plumage. It also has finer barring on the back and a smaller bill.
The call is a loud repeated “kleer” note. It forages on the ground for ants and other insects, hammering on trees and perching horizontally like other woodpeckers. Pairs establish permanent territories and remain paired for life.
Summary
The Guatemalan red-shafted flicker is a woodpecker subspecies found in highland regions of southern Mexico and Central America. It can be identified by its distinctive bright red wings and tail, and occupies pine-oak forests and open woodlands. Considered a separate species by some experts, it differs from the northern flicker in plumage coloration and vocalizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. What is the diet of the Guatemalan red-shafted flicker?
The Guatemalan red-shafted flicker is omnivorous but feeds mostly on ants and other insects which it finds by foraging on the ground. It also consumes fruits, seeds, and sap.
02. How does the Guatemalan flicker differ from the northern flicker?
The Guatemalan red-shafted flicker has brighter red plumage on the wings and tail compared to the northern flicker. It also has finer barring on the back, a smaller bill, and a faster, higher pitched call. The two were previously considered conspecific.
03. Why is the Guatemalan flicker found only in highland regions?
The Guatemalan red-shafted flicker is restricted to highland pine-oak forests and woodlands at elevations between 900-3000 meters in southern Mexico and Central America. This high elevation habitat provides the food sources and nesting sites the species requires.
