Northern Flicker

Finding a yellow-shafted flicker nesting hole.

Last weekend, I visited the Quassaick Creek, where it runs into the Hudson River. This particular spot attracts several yearly rarities for Orange County NY, and a Neotropic Cormorant was at the top of my wish list. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to see any of the rare birds, but came upon a dead tree with a hole about 15 feet up. Noticing that there was a wing with bright yellow feathers sticking up in the hole, I instantly knew that I had found a Northern Flicker nest.

As I started to record, a shadow appeared from above the frame, and a male flicker dropped into view. His mate popped out of the hole and flew off, while the male surveyed the area as he protected the entrance to their nest.

I did not hear any sounds of young birds from within the hole, nor did the parents bring food, so I assume that the eggs have not hatched yet.

Norther Flicker (Male at nesting hole)

I hope you enjoy this short video as much as I did. (Note that the female lacks the black malar stripe, and the red crescent on the nape.)