Woodpeckers are fascinating birds that belong to the Picidae family. With over 200 species worldwide, each with unique characteristics, woodpeckers have found ways to adapt to their respective environments.
In North America, two of the most common species are the Red-bellied and Northern Flicker woodpeckers.
Physical Differences between Red-bellied and Northern Flicker Woodpeckers
Red-bellied and Northern Flicker woodpeckers have different plumage, which can be used to distinguish them. Northern Flickers have two main color morphs: yellow-shafted and red-shafted.
Yellow-shafted birds have brownish-black plumage with yellow undersides, while red-shafted birds have a gray head, brownish-black back, and red undersides. In contrast, Red-bellied Woodpeckers commonly have a red crown and nape, with a black-and-white barred back and wings.
They also have red coloring on their belly and undertail coverts.
Distribution Range Differences between Red-bellied and Northern Flicker Woodpeckers
Red-bellied Woodpeckers can be found across the eastern United States, southern Canada, Mexico, Central America, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands. However, Northern Flickers have a much larger range, spanning throughout Canada, the United States, and as far south as Mexico and Central America.
Size Differences between Red-bellied and Northern Flicker Woodpeckers
According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Red-bellied Woodpeckers range from 9 to 10 inches in length, with a wingspan of 13 to 16 inches and a weight of about 2.2 to 3.2 ounces. Northern Flickers, on the other hand, are larger, ranging from 11 to 14 inches in length, with a wingspan of 17 to 21 inches and a weight of 3.5 to 6.7 ounces.
Population Differences between Red-bellied and Northern Flicker Woodpeckers
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are more numerous than Northern Flickers. According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, the Red-bellied Woodpecker population increased by 132% from 1966 to 2014, while the Northern Flicker population remained stable during the same period.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are not migratory, while Northern Flickers migrate to areas with suitable habitats, such as grasslands and open woodlands during the winter.
Other Differences between Northern Flickers and Red-bellied Woodpeckers
Migration
As mentioned earlier, Red-bellied Woodpeckers do not migrate, and instead, they are year-round residents of their respective habitats. In contrast, Northern Flickers are migratory birds that breed in Canada and the northern United States and move south during winter.
Sounds and Vocalizations
Woodpeckers are known for their drumming, which they use as a way to communicate with mates and establish their territories. Northern Flickers can also be heard calling to each other with a sharp wicka-wicka-wicka sound, while Red-bellied Woodpeckers make a chir-r-r-r-r-r sound.
Foraging Habits
Both woodpeckers are cavity nesters, with Northern Flickers creating their nests in trees, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers nesting in dead trees or live trees already damaged by decay. They also have different foraging habits.
Northern Flickers use their long, sticky tongues to extract ants and other insects from the ground, making them the only woodpeckers that primarily forage on the ground. Red-bellied Woodpeckers, on the other hand, forage on trees, using their sharp bills to drill into bark to find insects.
Habitat Preferences
Northern Flickers prefer open woodlands and fields with scattered trees, while Red-bellied Woodpeckers prefer deciduous forests. Northern Flickers can also be seen in suburban areas with large, open yards and parks.
In contrast, Red-bellied Woodpeckers tend to avoid urban areas, sticking to more natural, wooded areas.
Conclusion
In summary, Red-bellied and Northern Flicker woodpeckers have unique characteristics, making it easy to distinguish between the two species. While they may share some similarities, such as being cavity nesters, their differences can be found in their physical appearance, distribution, size, population, migration, sounds and vocalizations, foraging habits, and habitat preferences.
By learning about these differences, enthusiasts can appreciate the diversity of North American woodpeckers and their ability to thrive in their respective environments. Woodpeckers are a diverse group of birds, with over 200 species worldwide.
In North America alone, we have the Red-bellied and Northern Flicker woodpeckers, which are two of the most common species of woodpeckers. In this article, weve talked about the physical, range, size, population, migration, sounds and vocalizations, foraging habits, and habitat preferences differences between these species.
In this expansion, well dive deeper into two additional categories, namely, female adult and juvenile woodpeckers. Female Northern Flicker vs.
Female Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-bellied and Northern Flicker woodpeckers have both male and female adults, but there are physical differences between the females of each species. Female Northern Flickers lack the red cap that is unique to males.
Instead, adult female Northern Flickers have a brownish-gray cap, a gray face, and a brownish-black mustache stripe. They have a red patch on the back of their head, which is visible when they are in flight or when their head is raised.
On the other hand, female Red-bellied Woodpeckers have the classic black-and-white barred back and wings, with a red cap and nape that extends down the back of their head. Juvenile Northern Flicker vs.
Juvenile Red-bellied Woodpecker
When it comes to juveniles, Northern Flickers and Red-bellied Woodpeckers have different plumages. Juvenile Northern Flickers have a gray, dull plumage with dark vertical lines on their breast and spots on their underparts.
They have a distinct dark brown tail and a cinnamon-colored underwing. Some also have dark banding on their belly.
Red-bellied Woodpecker juveniles, on the other hand, have a brownish-black back with white spots and faint striping. Their underparts are a creamy yellow or buff color.
One of the key aspects of juvenile Red-bellied Woodpeckers is their ability to mimic the sounds of other birds. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, young Red-bellied Woodpeckers can imitate screaming Blue Jays and even meowing cats.
Both juvenile Northern Flickers and Red-bellied Woodpeckers are dependent on their parents for food and protection during this time. However, they start developing their distinct adult plumage within a few weeks of leaving their nest.
Conclusion
Woodpeckers are incredible birds with unique adaptations that allow them to survive in a variety of environments. In this expansion, weve talked about the physical differences between female adult and juvenile Northern Flickers and Red-bellied Woodpeckers.
Weve learned that juvenile Northern Flickers have gray, dull plumage with spots and underwing coloring that distinguishes them from their Red-bellied counterparts. Weve also learned that female adult Northern Flickers lack the red cap found in males but have a distinctive red patch on the back of their heads.
Understanding the characteristics that distinguish these species can help bird enthusiasts identify and appreciate the diversity of woodpeckers found in North America. In conclusion, woodpeckers are fascinating birds with a vast array of characteristics that make them unique.
From their different physical features to their migration habits and foraging behaviors, Northern Flicker and Red-bellied Woodpeckers are distinguished species that have adapted to thrive in their respective environments. This article has highlighted the differences between the species, including female adult and juvenile woodpeckers, emphasizing their significance for bird enthusiasts and conservationists.
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding woodpeckers:
1. What do woodpeckers eat?
Woodpeckers primarily eat insects and larvae found inside trees, but they also eat nuts, fruit, and seeds. 2.
Do woodpeckers damage trees? While woodpeckers do drill into trees for food and nesting, they generally cause little permanent damage to healthy trees.
3. How do woodpeckers protect their heads from drilling?
Woodpeckers have adapted to drilling by having a unique arrangement of skull bones, tongue structure, and hyoid apparatus that helps to cushion their brains and protect them from the impact of drilling. 4.
Can woodpeckers fly? Yes, woodpeckers are birds and have the ability to fly.
They also have unique flight patterns, including rapid, undulating flight, and short bursts of wing flapping. 5.
Why do woodpeckers drum on trees? Woodpeckers drum on trees as a way to establish their territory and communicate with other woodpeckers.
It is also used as a way to attract a mate during breeding season.