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Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
The Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) is a resident of almost all of the United States. The species nests across Canada, but these birds drop back south to the U.S. during the winter. There are two generally recognized forms of this species, the "Yellow-shafted" and the "Red-shafted". The Yellow-shafted Flicker is generally more eastern in distribution and the Red-shafted more western. The red-shafted Northern Flicker in the image shown here was at Bosque del Apache N. W. R., Socorro Co., New Mexico, in December, 1999. The shot was taken with a Canon EOS 1N and EF 600mm F/4 L lens on Fuji Provia film.
The female Red-shafted form of the Northern Flicker shown here was in Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Randall Co., Texas, in December, 2005. This image was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and an EF 500mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender.
The Northern Flicker (Red-shafted form) in the next two shots was at Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico, in November, 2009.
 
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
(Red-shafted)
Bosque del Apache N.W.R.,
Socorro Co., New Mexico
15 January 2015
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
(Red-shafted)
Bosque del Apache N.W.R.,
Socorro Co., New Mexico
15 January 2015
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
(Red-shafted)
Bosque del Apache N.W.R.,
Socorro Co., New Mexico
15 January 2015