Northern Flicker

Beaumont Birdie Passport

BABE

Birthdate: June 26
Female
Currently Resides: Babe Zaharias Museum

This flicker is fairly large, with a slim rounded head
mostly brownish overall, in a pattern that spreads
Bright colors flash under her wings and tail when she flies
In an up-and-down path using flaps, interspersed with glides
 

Northern Flicker Woodpecker

The Northern Flicker Woodpecker has brown and tan coloring rather than the distinctive black and white of the Pileated and Downy woodpeckers of North America. Their backs are brown with some black barring and white underneath, but do have flashes of bright colors under their wings when expanded. 
There are two different breeds throughout North America, one being the Yellow-shafted Flicker in the east and north, and the red-shafted Flicker in the west. They were once considered to be separate species completely, but have bred where their ranges overlap, integrating the species.
Living in most open-wooded and wetland areas of North America, the Northern Flicker Woodpecker feeds low to the ground, eating insects and foraging on tree trunks and limbs. Even though they can hammer on wood like any other woodpecker, their feeding style is another way that sets them apart from other North American woodpeckers. 
 

Did you know? Starlings compete with Northern Flickers for freshly excavated nesting sites, and may drive flickers away.

Babe Zaharias Museum 

The museum documents the multitude of awards, records and achievements throughout the life of the region’s hometown legend, the world’s greatest female athlete and Olympic gold-medalist, Mildred Babe Didrikson Zaharias. Learn More

Hours:
Monday  - Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Admission: Free
For more information, please call  (409) 833-4622