For my mom and dad, seeing a Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus auratus) is a fairly common occurrence. The birds frequent their backyard and beach property because both locations have sandy soil with a good supply of ants. When Bob and I visited in mid-May, I was lucky enough to see a female flicker industriously trying to find some grubs in an old tree stump.
Oxtongue Lake Community is situated on the shores of a pretty lake sharing the same name, and it offers lots of opportunities for wildlife sightings and outdoor experiences.
I first spotted the flicker at the top of a poplar tree, it flew down into the grass and then settled at the side of an old stump that is well on its way to rotting. I knew the flicker was a female because she lacked the masculine “black moustache” on either side of her face.
The beach property was still very saturated from the earlier spring flooding, and so perhaps that is why the flicker opted for a drier spot on the dead tree rather than in the grass where ants would be hard to come by given the present conditions. The flicker worked hard for something to eat…
and eventually moved to the top of the tree stump.
This is a Yellow-shafted Flicker, recognizable by the yellow feathers on the underside of the tail. The flicker’s soft gray cap and creamy beige face are offset by the red bar at the nape of the neck. The black speckled plumage is so showy!
While I watched, the woodpecker put a lot of effort into looking for insects and dug deep into the softer tissues of the wood there in the center of the stump.
A flicker’s tongue can dart out 2 inches beyond the end of the bill to snare insects, so whatever was making its home there in the rotting wood didn’t stand a chance.
I was ill-prepared for the wet conditions there on the beach, having run down there on the spur of the moment, so as I clicked my camera, water soaked through my light shoes. The odd blackfly was pestering me, but the temperature was almost balmy even given the early hour of the day. I persisted in order to see the flicker rewarded for her efforts.
Finally, the flicker came up with some tiny morsel and then quickly flew away. I was satisfied with my experience despite having wet feet! Next time, maybe I’ll get to see the male flicker.
Checkout our other Woodpecker sightings
Northern Flickers Sighted In Thickson’s Woods – Whitby
Black-backed Woodpecker sighted in Algonquin Provincial Park
Red-Bellied Woodpecker Sighting – Whitby – Ontario
Frame To Frame – Bob & Jean
