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

132 comments:

  1. Hello,

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

    I wish you a nice day!

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

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

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

      Delete
  3. 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...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!



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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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

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

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

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

      Delete
  7. ...the last shot is fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Tom, your comment is appreciated. Enjoy your day!

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

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

      Delete
  11. 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

      Delete
  12. 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

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

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

      Delete
  14. 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!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

      Delete
  15. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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

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

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

      Delete
  18. 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

      Delete
  21. Beautiful pictures of the woodpeckers!!

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

      Delete
  22. Wonderful shots Eileen. The light is perfect!

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

      Delete
  23. 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.

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

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

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

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

      Delete
  27. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.

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

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

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

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

      Delete
  35. Replies
    1. Hello, they are beautiful birds! Thanks for the comment!
      Enjoy your day!

      Delete
  36. Happy Monday Eileen. Wishing you a great week ahead.

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

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

      Delete
  38. 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

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

      Delete
  39. 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 :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

      Delete
  40. We see birds like that in our backyard!

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

      Delete
  41. 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

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    Replies
    1. 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!

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

      Delete
  43. 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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Dimi, Thanks for the visit and comment.

      Happy new month of November, Have a happy Wednesday!

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

      Delete
  47. Happy Halloween... what lovely birds.
    Amanda xx

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

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

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

      Delete
  50. I was so excited when I saw my first flicker. It is a pretty bird. Nice pictures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

      Delete
  51. Replies
    1. Hello,
      Thank you! Happy new month of November, Have a happy Wednesday!

      Delete
  52. 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

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

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

      Delete
  56. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

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

      Delete
  58. 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

      Delete
  60. 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

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

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

      Delete
  62. Hei Eileen! Beautiful bird! Happy new week!

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  65. 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

    ReplyDelete
  66. handsome bird! Never seen them before

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

    ReplyDelete

Hello, thank you for visiting my blog. I always appreciate your comments.

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Have a happy day, Eileen

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