Monday, October 30, 2017

Northern Flicker


Happy Monday, enjoy your day!  Happy November, wishing everyone a great new month.




The USA has two species of the Northern Flicker, the Eastern version is the Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker. The Western US has the Red-shafted Northern Flicker. I have seen both species,  the Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker can be found in the woods around our house and all around the eastern US. These are photos I took of the Northern Flicker in Pennsylvania, near the Cook Forest State Park and a couple together in Erie PA. The yellow and the red colors on the Northern Flicker show up on the birds underwings.



The Northern Flicker is in the Woodpecker family. You can just barely make out the yellow color under it's tail feathers.





Male Northern Flickers have the black moustache and they red at the nape of the neck. They feed on the ground looking for insects.


Below is the female, you can see it is missing the black moustache. They do have the black under the neck and the black spots like the males.





As always I thank you for stopping by and as always I appreciate your comments.

My list of memes for today, I hope to see you there. Thanks to both of the host below.


Thanks to Michelle for hosting Nature Notes

Thanks to Stewart for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday

131 comments:

Marit said...

Hello,

Cute little bird. Yes, It looks like a small woodpecker. Beautiful photos!

I wish you a nice day!

chica said...

Uma foto mais linda que a outra! beijos praianos, tudo de bom,chica

eileeninmd said...

Hello Chica, thanks so much for your visit and comment. Happy Monday, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Marit
Thanks so much for your comment. Happy Monday, enjoy your day!

DIMI said...

Good morning Eileen!
Fantastic pictures of the Woodpecker and the Flicker that I have never seen before!
Delightful post!Have a happy day and a great new week!
Dimi...

Jo said...

Hi Eileen, I love the look of these Flickers. So like our woodpeckers. Thanks for the detailed description. Have a great Monday. Jo

Blogoratti said...

They look really lovely and delicate, and so colourful too aren't they. Greetings.

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...

Excelentes fotografias deste belo pássaro.
Um abraço e boa semana.

Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros

Tom said...

...the last shot is fabulous.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
What a charmer - that last image is the beauty shot! YAM xx

Anonymous said...

Good Morning, These are beautiful pictures that show their amazing colors. Have a nice day.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Flickers have pretty much left here for the year. I will look forward to seeing them again next spring.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Dimi,
Thanks so much for the comment on my Flicker birds. 
I appreciate your visit and comment. 
Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week!



eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for your visit and comment. Much appreciated. Enjoy your day and new week!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jo, 
The Flickers here are in the woodpecker family. 
Thanks so much for your visit and comment.
I hope you are having a great day, enjoy your new week!
Eileen

eileeninmd said...

Thanks so much for your visit and comment.
I hope you are having a great day, enjoy your new week!

eileeninmd said...

Hi Tom, your comment is appreciated. Enjoy your day!

italiafinlandia said...

From a distance I would exchange them with woodpeckers, but from your very last photo...I can see a different and very beautiful plumage!
Enjoy your week ahead and happy new captures!

Maggee said...

I FINALLY got pictures of a Northern Flicker this Fall,and hopefully will be posting them this week in a catch-up post, as usual! This past Spring, we had one come around under the feeders...so surprising! Thanks for sharing! Hugs!

MadSnapper said...

love those breast feathers in the last photo. such pretty birds

eileeninmd said...

Hello Yam, yes the Flciker is a beauty! Thanks so much for the comment. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Mildred,
Thanks so much for your visit, your comments on my photos are always appreciated.
Enjoy your day, happy Monday.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, the Flickers are listed as Residents for this area. I am always happy to see one.
Thanks so much for your visit and comment.
Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
They are in the woodpecker family. I am always happy to see one here.
Thanks so much for your visit and comment.
Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Maggee,
I always enjoy seeing the Flickers. Usually I am hearing them more then seeing them in the woods around me.
Sometimes I see them in my yard pecking at the ground.
Thanks so much for the comment and visit. Happy Birding, enjoy your day and new week!

Debbie said...

i love this bird and only see them occasionally in my yard. i really like the red heart on the back of their heads and their pretty yellow undercarriage, so bright when they fly off!!! you got some great images, they can be difficult to photograph!!!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Sandra,
They are pretty, the feathers in the closeup turned out great.  Thanks always for the comment and visit.
Enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Debbie
They do have pretty colors. The red on the back and the yellow underneath. They do look pretty in flight.
Thanks so much for the comment.
Enjoy your day and new week!

Karen said...

That is interesting about the markings on the flickers. I don't think I see them here. Our gardener for the grounds here is a birdwatcher, and has recently put up birdhouses all around the property.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Karen! Sometimes the Flickers can be found pecking at the ground looking for bugs to eat.
It is nice that you have the birdhouses all around.
Thanks so much for your comment.
Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week!

Mary Hone said...

One of my favorite birds. But we only have the red shafted flicker here. I would love to see a yellow one.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I'm not much for names...I just love to love all of 'ems

September Violets said...

Love the flickers, and it's always nice of them to stop by for a quick visit in my backyard. Such striking markings on them. You got some nice shots Eileen! Have a great week ... cold out today brrrr!
Wendy

alp said...

Imágenes estupendas,,,un saludo desde Murcia....

DeniseinVA said...

Great photos of these pretty birds. Thanks for sharing and have a great week.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Mary
I have seen both the Red-shafted and the Yellow Shafted Flickers. They are beautiful birds, especially in flight.
Thanks so much for the comment,
Enjoy your day and new week!
Eileen

eileeninmd said...

Hello Mac, thanks so much for the comment. I love them all too.
Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Wendy, It is great to see the Flicker in your backyard. They are beautiful with pretty markings and colors.
Thanks so much for the nice comment.
Have a happy day and new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Murcia, thanks so much for the nice comment.
Have a happy day and new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Denise,
They are pretty birds, but then I think all the birds are pretty.
Thanks for the comment and visit.
Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week!

krishna said...

Beautiful pictures of the woodpeckers!!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thank you so much for the nice comment on my photos.
Enjoy your day and the week ahead.

Lois said...

Wonderful shots Eileen. The light is perfect!

Phil Slade said...

Hi Eileen. Thank you for that very useful set of information and accompanying photos. I'm sure it will be valuable for lots of your readers.

Charlene N. K. said...

It's beautiful! I love that last shot!
Thanks for visiting my recent blog and for the meaningful comments!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Lois, Thanks I appreciate the comment.
Enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hi Phil, thanks so much for the comment and visit. Enjoy you day and week ahead!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Charlene, I like the bird in the last shot too, it was closer.
Thanks so much for your visits and comments.
Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

Cloudia said...

Wow, Honey! You really give it!

A Colorful World said...

Beautiful flicker photos!

Klara S said...

Hello, Eileen. I'm sorry, I'm so late with comments. I've been so busy recently. So much going on...
These are cool shots. I like especially the last one, where the bird is sourrounded by the green needles.

eileeninmd said...

Hi Cloudia, you are so kind. Thanks for the comment and visit.
Happy Monday, enjoy your day and week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Marie, I am happy you enjoyed my Flicker photos.
Thanks for the comment.
Happy Monday, enjoy your day and week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Klara, you are so kind to visit and comment. Much appreciated.
Happy Monday, enjoy your day and week ahead.

Nancy Chan said...

These birds are beautiful! Love the close up in the last picture. Have a wonderful new week!

Jeevan said...

Lovely capture and interesting distinction on their features! Cute with the moustache :)

Christine said...

Wonderful and so informative, Eileen! This is a very pretty bird and I enjoyed seeing your great shots of it!
Have a great week!

RedPat said...

You got some wonderful pics of these guys, Eileen! I haven't seen one in years.

HappyK said...

Some great shots! This is one I see around here quite often.

eileeninmd said...

Hi Karen,
Thanks for the comment on my Flicker photos and post. 
I always appreciate your visits.
Happy Monday, enjoy your day and week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Nancy, I am happy you enjoyed my photos.
Thanks for the comment and visit.
Happy Monday, enjoy your day and week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeevan, Your visits and comments are much appreciated.
Happy Monday, enjoy your day and week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Christine, I am glad you liked my post and photos. It is a pretty bird, but then they are all pretty.
Happy Monday, enjoy your day and week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the nice comment.
Happy Monday, enjoy your day and week ahead.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Those are great ID photos Eileen -- your blog is often more helpful than my field guide! I do love seeing flickers.

Crafty Green Poet said...

Lovely photos, I love how the birds look in the wonderful light in those photos

William Kendall said...

What beautiful birds!

The Yum List said...

Happy Monday Eileen. Wishing you a great week ahead.

This N That said...

Great pictures..I see them a lot around here..usually on the ground..I'll have to look for them in the trees...

Sue (this n that) said...

Oh they're such a pretty bird, I do love those spots and the red marking Eileen. Great shots.
Have a wonderful rest of the week and thank you for all your lovely visits :D) xx

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Your posts are always so educational! :) I am from PA and when I was a kid we went in to the Cook's Forest area but this post is the first one that informed me about this bird :)
Great shots and information as usual :)

Linda W. said...

We see birds like that in our backyard!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Wonderful captures, Eileen! They are such beautiful birds. I have the western version here - they have a piercing cry. I wish I could find one of those spotted feathers! xx K

Prunella Pepperpot said...

What a beautiful bird the Northern Flicker is and how interesting that it belongs to the woodpecker family.
Have a brilliant week Eileen :)

eileeninmd said...

Hello Sallie,
Thanks so much for the nice comment. I love seeing the Flickers too.
Enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
Thanks so much for the comment on my photos. The lighting is important for the photos.
Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Sue,
Thank you as always for the visit and nice comment. 
The Flickers are beautiful birds.
Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Missy, I see the Flicker in my yard pecking at the ground for insects. Thanks for the comment and visit.
Enjoy your day, Happy Halloween!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, they are beautiful birds! Thanks for the comment!
Enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the visit and comment.
Enjoy your day and new week!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Deb, for some reason I see these birds more in the winter than other times of the year.
Thanks for the comment and visit. Enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Linda, it is great backyard bird. Thanks for the comment.
Enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Karen, I think they are beautiful birds too. I have heard their loud cry or call.
Thanks for your comment and visit. Happy Halloween, enjoy your day!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi There, Happy Halloween to you.... Hope you have a fun day!

We love our Northern Flickers... Such beautiful birds.... I've never seen the red-shafted ones ---so maybe sometime when we are out west I'll see one.

Thanks for sharing.

Hugs,
Betsy

Bob Bushell said...

Hi Eileen, beautiful are the Northern Flicker, I would love to see one.

DIMI said...

Happy Halloween Eileen!Have fun!Enjoy!
Dimi... 🎃🎃🎃

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...

Belas fotografias e um bom Halloween.

Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados

Amanda Peters said...

Happy Halloween... what lovely birds.
Amanda xx

Mia said...

Beautiful photos, Eileen! I did not know the two species! Happy Halloween, my friend.

Our photos said...

These are nice photos !

The Yum List said...

Happy Halloween!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Eileen

I love the description of the male Northern Flickers having a black moustache! It made me smile. I hope you had a very Happy Halloween!

Lady Fi said...

Lovely shots.

Cat Lover said...

Lovely photos Eileen! I only seem to see a Flicker a few times a year but love to watch them.
Have a good day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Bob! I wish you could see the pretty Flicker. Thanks so much for the comment.
Happy new month of November, Have a happy Wednesday!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Betsy
The Flickers are beautiful to see. Thanks so much for your comment.
Happy new month of November, Have a happy Wednesday!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Prunella, yes the Flicker is a beautiful woodpecker. Thanks so much for your nice comment.
Happy new month of November, Have a happy Wednesday!

eileeninmd said...

Hi Dimi, Thanks for the visit and comment.

Happy new month of November, Have a happy Wednesday!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
I appreciate your comment and visit.
Happy new month of November, Have a happy Wednesday!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Amanda,
Yes, they are lovely. Thanks so much for the comment.
Happy new month of November, Have a happy Wednesday!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Mia,
There are so many new birds to learn, some I will never see. Thanks so much for your comment.
Happy new month of November, Have a happy Wednesday!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
Thanks so much for your visit and comment.
Happy new month of November, Have a happy Wednesday!

NatureFootstep said...

learned something new today. Didn´t know there was 2 kind of flickers. Gorgeous birds. 3 of them, maby a family :)

eileeninmd said...

Hi Linda,
I am always excited to see new birds, there are so many birds out there I've never seen yet. Thanks for your comment.
Happy new month of November, Have a happy Wednesday!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
Thank you! Happy new month of November, Have a happy Wednesday!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Pat,
It is a funny description, imagining a bird with a moustache. Thanks for the visit and comment.
Happy new month of November, Have a happy Wednesday!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, thanks so much for the comment and visit.
Happy new month of November, Have a happy Wednesday!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Robin,
Thanks so much for your visit and comment. The Flickers are fun to watch.
Happy new month of November, Have a happy Wednesday!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, actually there are 3 flickers in the USA. The 2 Northern Flickers and then there is a Gilded Flicker in the southwest.
Thanks for the comment. Have a happy day!

Laura. M said...

Buen noviembre Eileen!! Me gusta, es un mes lleno de colores. Preciosa la hembra Northern Flicker.
Gracias siempre por tus fotos y comentarios, amiga.
Buen 🎃 besos.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Laura, thanks so much for your comment on my Flicker.
I appreciate your visit too. Happy new month of November, Have a happy Wednesday!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

What beautiful closeup shots of this bird!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Deb, I am happy you enjoyed my bird and photos. Thanks for the comment.
Happy November, Have a happy Wednesday!

21 Wits said...

Good morning, delightful nature views, and that bench chair is just amazing. I feel so cheated with our autumn, not enough of it, and we hardly had any changing of the leaves like that. Winter has been quite forceful around here. Enjoy your week!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Karen, we have been enjoying a warm October. Not sure what kind of weather November will bring. I am not a winter person, so I am hoping for a mild winter. Thanks so much for your visit and comment.
Happy November, enjoy your day and the new month.

Sandi said...

What a strange bird. He looks like he has holes in him!

Cranberry Morning said...

I always love seeing the Flicker. they're such pretty birds. Which reminds me, I need to buy some suet. It's 24 degrees and we're supposed to be getting 1-3 inches of snow tonight. Time to get ready!

ellen b. said...

Wonderful shots of the flicker! We have seen flickers around this old house.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Sandi,
The holes are actually black dots on the feathers. Thanks for the comment and visit.
Happy November, enjoy your day and new month!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Judy, the birds will enjoy the suet on those cold snowy days. Stay warm!
Thanks for the comment and visit.
Happy November, enjoy your day and new month!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Ellen,
The Flicker are great yardbirds. Thanks for the comment and visit.
Happy November, enjoy your day and new month!

Ranten said...

Hei Eileen! Beautiful bird! Happy new week!

Hootin Anni said...

Terrific Eileen!

The Yum List said...

Happy November!

Rambling Woods said...

Thank you for the information Eileen...I don't see flickers here often....Michelle

Jeanie said...

Beautiful with his spots and little bits of red! Perfect November colors!

Lowcarb team member said...

Hello Eileen and Happy Wishes for November - where has the year gone?

I love all of your photo's, doesn't the red at the nape of the neck stand out on the flickers...

All the best Jan

Stephanie said...

Beautiful shots of the Flicker.

Sussi said...

handsome bird! Never seen them before

UplayOnline said...

I am happy you enjoyed my bird and photos.


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Klara S said...

Let's enjoy November! I hope you had a great Halloween!

Happy Monday!

  Wishing everyone a great day and a ha ppy new week! "Happiness is a place between too little and too much." "Find joy in th...