Northern Flicker - female

Colaptes auratus

HOW TO IDENTIFY:

* Length: 10.5-11 inches
* Large woodpecker
* Brown back and wings barred with black
* Black crescent on upper breast
* Beige breast and belly spotted heavily with black
* White rump (obvious in flight)
* Tail dark above
* Two color forms, formerly separate species

'Yellow-shafted'

* Breeds in eastern United States and Canada
* Tail and underwings are entirely yellow below, and retricies and primaries have yellow shafts
* Red crescent on nape
* Gray cap and nape
* Tan face, chin, and throat
* Adult male has black whisker

'Red-shafted'

* Breeds in western United States and Canada
* Tail and underwings are entirely red below, and retricies and primaries have red shafts
* Brown crown
* Gray face
* Adult male has red whisker

Similar species:

The Gilded Flicker can be told from the 'Red-shafted Flicker' by its yellow underwings and from the 'Yellow-shafted Flicker' by its lack of red at the rear of the head, pale brown cap and pale gray face, a paler brown back, and the male sports a red rather than black whisker.