Northern Flicker at cavity
Even though the Northern Flicker as a species is not particularly heavy, weighing some 130 grams (less than 5 oz) on average, it is nevertheless a substantial bird {as I have appreciated while holding them during banding}. An indication of that heft comes from the size of the nest cavity, which is about 10 cm (4 in) in diameter. The compact sturdiness of a Northern Flicker stands it well in winter, when the primary diet of insects (especially ants and ant larvae) is mainly replaced by berries and seeds. This image shows both the red malar stripes of a male — in this case of the intergrade form (although the red nape is not visible, this is the same individual as here: www.flickr.com/photos/luminouscompositions/51498454866/in... ).
Northern Flicker at cavity
Even though the Northern Flicker as a species is not particularly heavy, weighing some 130 grams (less than 5 oz) on average, it is nevertheless a substantial bird {as I have appreciated while holding them during banding}. An indication of that heft comes from the size of the nest cavity, which is about 10 cm (4 in) in diameter. The compact sturdiness of a Northern Flicker stands it well in winter, when the primary diet of insects (especially ants and ant larvae) is mainly replaced by berries and seeds. This image shows both the red malar stripes of a male — in this case of the intergrade form (although the red nape is not visible, this is the same individual as here: www.flickr.com/photos/luminouscompositions/51498454866/in... ).