Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)

County List:

Rule:

Mixed Forested/Nonforested Landscapes

Foraging and Nesting Habitat Requirements may be distributed across the COMPARTMENT 

Foraging Habitat:
      (Any Upland Deciduous (Regen))
      or Grass
      or Upland Brush
      or Savanna
      or Field/Pasture

Nesting Habitat 1st alternative:
      (Any Upland Deciduous (Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Any Upland Conifer Except Conifer Plantations (Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Any Upland Mixed (Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
   containing:
      Snags
   adjacent to:
      (Any Upland Deciduous (Regen))
      or Grass
      or Upland Brush
      or Savanna
      or Field/Pasture

Nesting Habitat 2nd alternative:
      Savanna
   containing:   
      Snags

Habitat List:

view size class definitions

Literature:

Habitat: Flickers are versatile in their habitat use, breeding in open woodlands, forest edges, orchards, suburban areas, and pastures or other fields with scattered trees. Results of the Atlas Habitat Survey reflect this versatility, with observations in a wide array of woodlands plus old field, shrub wetland, and residential habitats. No preferential use among deciduous, mixed, or coniferous woodland type was evident from the survey.

Flickers frequently nest near clearings, and they will nest in trees left within clearcuts. They require fairly large trees but are otherwise opportunistic and can excavate cavities in dead trees and stubs, live trees with decaying heartwood, utility poles, and fence posts. Properly built nest boxes may also be used.

The current mosaic of woodlands, edges, and fields prevalent across the landscape greatly favors this bird. Availability of suitable nesting sites may, however, limit breeding habitat for woodpeckers. Leaving dead and dying trees in clearcuts and woodlots is important to the maintenance of healthy populations of flickers and those of many other cavity dependent wildlife species.

Habitat: Breeding: Open deciduous, coniferous, or mixed woods, woodland edges (preferred), suburbs, farm woodlots, clearcuts in dense forests, fields, meadows. Wintering: Occasionally seeks protection from cold in coniferous woods or swamps.

Special Habitat Requirements: Medium to large dead or dying trees for nesting. Open areas for foraging. Trees 12 inches dbh or more are most suitable for nesting.

Habitat: Open forests, woodlots, groves, towns, semi-open country. With its wide range, from Alaska to Nicaragua, the flicker can be found in almost any habitat with trees. Tends to avoid dense unbroken forest, requiring some open ground for foraging. May be in very open country with few trees.

Diet: Mostly ants and other insects. Probably eats ants more frequently than any other North American bird. Also feeds on beetles, termites, caterpillars, and other insects. Eats many fruits and berries, especially in fall and winter, and eats seeds and nuts at times.

Nest: Site is cavity in tree or post, rarely in a burrow in the ground. Tree cavities usually in dead wood; pine, cottonwood, and willow are among favored trees. Cavity typically 6-20 feet above ground, sometimes much higher (to 100 feet or more).

Conservation Status: Declining. Introduced starlings compete with flickers for freshly excavated nesting sites, may drive flickers away.