Watercolor portrait of Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)

Northern Flicker

Colaptes auratus
Year-round resident across much of the U… Open forests, forest edges, and woodlands Call

Learn to identify the Northern Flicker by ear. Master the "wicka-wicka-wicka" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“wicka-wicka-wicka”

What the Northern Flicker sounds like

A large, brownish woodpecker with a barred back and spotted belly. It has a black bib (crescent-shaped patch) on the chest and a white rump that is conspicuous in flight. There are two color forms: the Yellow-shafted (eastern) with yellow feather shafts, a red nape patch, and black "mustache" mark on males; and the Red-shafted (western) with red feather shafts, no nape patch, and red "mustache" on males. Often seen on the ground eating ants, unlike most woodpeckers.

“wicka-wicka-wicka”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:Often called the "flicker call," it's a loud, rolling series of notes that sounds like "wicka-wicka-wicka," lasting a few seconds. This is not a melodic song but a repetitive call used by both sexes, primarily in spring to announce territory and attract a mate. It can be heard from far away and is one of the signature sounds of open woodlands. Often written as “wicka-wicka-wicka”.
Don't confuse with:The Red-bellied Woodpecker — smaller, with a black-and-white barred back and a red cap (males have red from bill to nape, females on nape and crown).

Lessons featuring the Northern Flicker

Ready to test your ear? Practice identifying the Northern Flicker's sounds in these interactive in-app lessons.

Woodpecker Workshop lesson habitat
Woodpecker Workshop
Tier 3 · Family Reunion
Woodpeckers Beyond the Drum lesson habitat
Woodpeckers Beyond the Drum
Tier 10 · Going Deeper
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Where you'll hear it

Open forests, forest edges, and woodlands. Common in parks, suburban areas with trees, farmlands with groves, and even wetlands with standing dead trees. Prefers areas with some open ground for foraging and trees for nesting. Avoids extremely dense unbroken forest; more common in semi-open habitats like aspen groves, oak savannas, and pine parkland. Frequently feeds on lawns and ant mounds.

In spring, Northern Flickers establish territories and can be heard drumming loudly on resonant surfaces (like house siding or metal chimney caps) and giving their familiar "wicka-wicka" call. They excavate nesting cavities in dead or soft wood, where females lay eggs by late spring. Both parents incubate and feed the chicks. Through summer, flickers continue feeding largely on insects, and one might see family groups on the ground by mid-summer. By fall, many flickers move in loose flocks or family units, feeding on berries and ants as they prepare to migrate or settle into winter territories. During winter, flickers are less territorial (sometimes several will feed in the same berry tree) but they may defend good feeding or roosting spots. They often roost in cavities at night to stay warm. Males may start drumming and calling as early as late winter to define territories for the upcoming breeding season.

Similar species

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Smaller, with a black-and-white barred back and a red cap (males have red from bill to nape, females on nape and crown).

Pileated Woodpecker

Much larger (crow-sized) with mostly black body and strong white stripes on the face and neck, plus a bright red crest.

Northern Flicker sound FAQ

What does a Northern Flicker sound like?
Often called the "flicker call," it's a loud, rolling series of notes that sounds like "wicka-wicka-wicka," lasting a few seconds. This is not a melodic song but a repetitive call used by both sexes, primarily in spring to announce territory and attract a mate. It can be heard from far away and is one of the signature sounds of open woodlands. Listen for the "wicka-wicka-wicka" phrase.
How do I tell a Northern Flicker from a Red-bellied Woodpecker by sound?
Red-bellied Woodpecker: Smaller, with a black-and-white barred back and a red cap (males have red from bill to nape, females on nape and crown).; Lacks the flicker's spotted belly and white rump; instead has a plain, grayish-tan belly with a subtle red wash (hence 'red-bellied').; Also stays mostly in trees; less often seen on ground..
When is the best time to hear a Northern Flicker?
In spring, Northern Flickers establish territories and can be heard drumming loudly on resonant surfaces (like house siding or metal chimney caps) and giving their familiar "wicka-wicka" call. They excavate nesting cavities in dead or soft wood, where females lay eggs by late spring. Both parents incubate and feed the chicks. Through summer, flickers continue feeding largely on insects, and one might see family groups on the ground by mid-summer. By fall, many flickers move in loose flocks or family units, feeding on berries and ants as they prepare to migrate or settle into winter territories. During winter, flickers are less territorial (sometimes several will feed in the same berry tree) but they may defend good feeding or roosting spots. They often roost in cavities at night to stay warm. Males may start drumming and calling as early as late winter to define territories for the upcoming breeding season.