My Northern Flicker

by Shae Deschenes
(Strathmore AB Canada)

I just sent you an email for help identifying this bird and after sending it went on another search for it. It was back today and it is definitely a Northern flicker. It has a grey face with brown around the eye and red down its cheeks. When I first saw it I though it was red dots. Got a really good look at its chest which is beige color with black dots. It has a black bib that looks like a black spot cut in half with the rounded part pointing downwards. The back is brown and has black bars on the wings. I looked up the info on what it eats and was surprised to see him here in Strathmore Alberta as it is quite cold.. -17 C. today and it said it loves eating ants and is a ground feeder. It will eat fruit?? (what kind) or some seeds but fairly eats from a bird feeder. I was wondering how the little fellow is getting along food wise. We have canary seeds and some other type we buy from the store but was wondering if I should bet more type of seed which have oiled sunflowers. Heaven knows I won't be able to find any ants at this time of year! What about mealy worms???
Anyway guess you can forget my first email wondering what this bird type was. Would really like an answer about what to do about food for this little guy and as mentioned in my other email my husband saw him and two others approx. 3 days ago. This one is definitely male.
Thanks again and will send a snap if that darn camera of mine will behave and "Pretty Boy" gets a little closer.
Hugs..shae


Comment
Flickers will come to feeders if there is suet in them.
Susan