Northern Flicker

woodpecker · migratory bird · North America · noisy

Spotted dancer. The northern flicker is a medium-sized woodpecker with a speckled belly that makes it look like it's wearing polka dots. Its flashy appearance helps it stand out from other woodpeckers in the forest.

Sound-based names. Over 100 common names exist for this bird, and many of them come from trying to copy its loud calls. Names like "yarrup," "wake-up," and "wick-up" are all people's attempts to write down what the bird sounds like.

Traveling woodpecker. Unlike most woodpeckers that stay in one place year-round, the northern flicker is one of the few that actually migrates to find food and escape cold winters. This makes it extra special among its woodpecker cousins.

Wide home range. You can find northern flickers across most of North America, plus parts of Central America, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands. They've spread out to many different forests and habitats across these big regions.