In Episode 131 of The Science of Birds, host Ivan Phillipsen takes a deep dive into one of North America's most familiar woodpeckers: the Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus). Found year-round across the continent, this bird has a habit of making itself known in some startling ways, including drumming loudly on rooftops at the crack of dawn.
The episode describes the flicker's appearance, from its bold spotted plumage and signature white rump patch to the mustache-like malar stripe that sets males apart. It also covers the bird's surprisingly un-woodpecker-like lifestyle —spending most of its time hopping on the ground in pursuit of ants—and the full range of sounds it uses to communicate, from the mechanical "long call" to the rhythmic "wicka call" used in courtship and territorial disputes.
The episode gets into the centuries-old debate over whether the yellow-shafted and red-shafted forms should be considered separate species, the remarkable hybrid zone stretching across the Great Plains, and what recent genomic research has revealed about the genetics behind their different color forms. Also covered are the flicker's breeding behavior, diet, and its ecological role as a keystone species.
Despite being one of the most recognizable birds in North American backyards, flicker populations have declined by nearly 50% since 1966 — a sobering reminder that even familiar species need our attention. Tune in to learn all about this loud, lovable, ant-obsessed bird.
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