The southern yellow-shafted flicker is also known as Auratus. It belongs to the order Piciformes, family Picidae, and genus Colaptes. The species name Auratus refers to the bird’s golden-yellow plumage on its underwings and underside.

Want to learn more about bird subspecies:

How Can the Southern Yellow-Shafted Flicker Be Identified?

This medium-sized bird measures 9-12 inches in length with a 15-inch wingspan. It has tan or brownish barred plumage on its back, wings, and tail. The underside of its wings and tail is a brilliant golden yellow, visible when in flight. The breast is beige with bold black crescent-shaped spots.

The belly has small black dots. Adult males have a striking black cheek patch that looks like a mustache; females have a gray cheek. The head is brown, with a red or brown nape in males. The bill curves down slightly and is black. Eyes are brown.

What Is the Geographic Location and Habitat of The Southern Yellow-Shafted Flicker?

This flicker is found across the eastern half of North America. Its breeding range stretches from Nova Scotia to Alberta in the north, extending south to Florida and Mexico. It prefers open habitats like woodlands, forest edges and clearings, parks, suburbs, farms, and wooded wetlands.

It is adaptable and also inhabits more developed areas as long as some mature trees remain. In winter, it migrates to the southern U.S. and into Mexico, Cuba, and Central America.

What Unique Behaviors and Traits Characterize This Species?

Unlike most woodpeckers, the southern yellow-shafted flicker spends much time foraging on the ground, lapping up ants with its long tongue. It also has a unique bobbing mating dance where it bobs its head and flicks its wings.

Both males and females excavate nest cavities, unlike many woodpeckers where only males excavate. This flicker has a wide variety of vocalizations, including a loud, sharp “kleer” call.

It is very adaptable to human activities compared to other woodpeckers. Its golden-yellow wing plumage is unique among North American woodpeckers. Overall, this species exhibits flexibility in diet, habitat use, and behavior.

FAQs

01. What does the southern flicker eat?

Unlike most woodpeckers, this flicker eats ants from the ground by probing with its tongue. It also consumes fruits, seeds, and other insects.

02. Where does the southern flicker nest?

It nests in tree cavities like other woodpeckers but will also next in natural holes in banks, cliffs or the ground.

03. How can the southern flicker be identified?

Identification clues include its medium size, brownish-gray and black spotted plumage, bright yellow underwings and tail shafts, red mustache on the male, and ant-eating habits.

Summary

The southern yellow-shafted flicker, a tropical woodpecker marked by its colorful plumage, ground-feeding behaviors, and flexible nesting across its range in the southern United States, Central America, and South America.