Wesley's Backyard Birds
Northern Flicker

The Northern Flicker is a medium-sized member of the woodpecker family. The Northern Flicker has two color forms found in different regions. The yellow-shafted form is common across the eastern and northern parts of North America, while the red-shafted form is the one found in the West; the red-shafted is what I have come to my feeders. They're one of the few woodpecker species that migrates, and is the only woodpecker that commonly feeds on the ground. Although they eat fruits, berries, seeds and nuts, their primary food is insects. Ants alone can make up 45% of their diet. They have a behavior called anting, during which they use the acid from the ants to assist in preening, as it is useful in keeping them free of parasites.
Northern Flicker Movies