Northern Flicker

Species: Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Family: Picadae
Date: 6.23.15

Observation:  

Kate noticed this Northern Flicker in one of the maples down toward the brook.  It was quite far away (I am impressed the picture isn't more blurry when enlarged).  A month earlier a Northern Flicker gave us a good up-close viewing, foraging for insects right off the edge of our porch.  

A fact from Annie (hey, its' my birthday!):

Northern Flickers prefer to forage for food on the ground (ants, beetles, etc.), and their call is somewhat similar to a Pileated woodpecker's (and my sister thinks they sound like a monkey-bird).

Learn more at All About Birds - Northern Flicker