Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Pratt-NorthernFlicker-sj


14. Northern Flicker __________________________________________________

Whenever I look at Pratt's painting of this woodpecker, I feel the
colors are not quite right ... but the stance and shape are right
on.

What I found interesting is the fact that these woodpeckers are
equally at home hitching up a tree trunk in typical woodpecker
fashion and on the ground, where they hop around searching for
ants, a favorite food.

I had never seen them on the ground until I visited Denver several
years ago ... was sure I had discovered a new bird! But the
white rump, very conspicuous in flight, gave him away.