Northern Flicker Stops by for a Surprise Visit

Hi Sarah; For the first time ever I have seen a flicker at my suet feeder. He watched a red-bellied woodpecker for a while and figured out how to hang upside down and munch. I thought they flew south although we have our share of doves and other birds that are supposed to fly south.

I am in Livingston County right on the county line in Iosco Twp. Mr. flicker has been hanging around for a few days. Oh, I almost forgot, I had a small hawk hanging around. He flew into my door wall twice and liked to sit out on my deck. Luckily for the birds he moved on about two weeks ago. I have a lot less mourning doves hanging around now than I did before he was here.


You’re very lucky. The Northern Flicker is a rare winter resident in southern Michigan. It is native to most of North America, parts of Central America, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands. The northern birds migrate to the southern parts of the range while the southern birds are often permanent residents.

They’re considered a medium sized woodpecker but at 12-13 inches, I think they’re pretty big. Flickers like open habitats near trees, including woodlands, edges, yards, and parks. They eat fruits, berries, seeds and nuts, but their primary food is insects or suet. Strangely enough they prefer to forage on the ground, however, as you saw, they can figure out feeders.

For more information on the bird go to: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Flicker/lifehistory

Also make sure you get involved with the Great Backyard Bird Count this year to report what birds you have in your yard. You can send in photos for a chance to win prizes. Go to http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ for more information.

Thank you for the email, Sarah