Northern Flicker
Date Submitted: May 24, 2011
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/23/11
Observation Time: 2:35 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Plant or Animal? Animal
Common Name: Northern Flicker
Scientific Name: Colaptes auratus
Comments: This northern flicker was injured, perhaps as a result of a hawk attack.
The Northern Flicker is part of the genus Colaptes which encompasses 12
New-World woodpeckers. There are two living and one extinct subspecies
of C. auratus species. The existing sub-species were at one time considered
separate species but they commonly interbreed where ranges overlap and
are now considered one species by the American Ornithologists Union. Whether
or not they are separate species is a well-known example of the species
problem.
The Yellow-shafted Flicker Colaptes auratus resides in eastern North America.
They are yellow under the tail and underwings and have yellow shafts on
their primaries. They have a grey cap, a beige face and a red bar at the
nape of their neck. Males have a black moustache. Colaptes comes from the
Greek verb colapt, to peck. Auratus is from the Latin root aurat, meaning "gold" or "golden" and
refers to the bird's underwing.
Under the name "Yellowhammer" it is the state bird of Alabama.[2]
The Red-shafted Flicker Colaptes auratus cafer resides in western North
America. They are red under the tail and underwings and have red shafts
on their primaries. They have a beige cap and a grey face. Males have a
red moustache. The scientific name, Colaptes auratus cafer, is the result
of an error made in 1788 by the German systematist, Johann Gmelin, who
believed that its original habitat was in South Africa among the Xhosa
people, then known as the "Kaffir" people. (The term "Kaffir" is
now considered an extreme ethnic slur in South Africa.)
The Guadalupe Flicker Colaptes auratus/cafer rufipileus extinct c. 1910.
From Wikipedia
More Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology "All About Birds"
Previous, Subsequent, or Similar Sightings:
Northern Flicker, 5/26/09