Species Comparisons • Backyard Identification
Northern Flicker vs Red-headed Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Northern Flicker • Wikimedia Commons
Northern Flicker
Northern Flicker • Wikimedia Commons
Northern Flicker
Northern Flicker • Wikimedia Commons
Northern Flicker
Northern Flicker • Wikimedia Commons
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Northern Flicker vs Red-headed Woodpecker (Colaptes auratus vs Melanerpes erythrocephalus): The Complete Backyard Identification Guide
Field Summary
Quick Answer: The Fastest Way to Tell Them Apart
The brown ground woodpecker and the crimson-headed one. Three rules:
- Head: entirely crimson = Red-headed; gray-tan with a small red nape crescent = flicker.
- Body: bold black-and-white blocks = Red-headed; brown bars and spots = flicker.
- Feeding: on the lawn = flicker; sallying out to catch insects in flight = Red-headed.
At-a-Glance Comparison Table
The lawn woodpecker and the red-headed flycatcher-woodpecker, side by side. KEY rows separate fastest.
| Feature | Northern Flicker | Red-headed Woodpecker |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Colaptes auratus | Melanerpes erythrocephalus |
| Length | 11–12.2 in (28–31 cm) | 9.3 in (24 cm) |
| Wingspan | 16.5–20.1 in (42–51 cm) | 16.5 in (42 cm) |
| Weight | 3.9–5.6 oz (110–160 g) | 2.0–3.4 oz (56–97 g) |
| Overall Shape | A large, long-tailed woodpecker that feeds on the ground — brown, barred and spotted | Medium woodpecker with a fully crimson head and bold “checkerboard” body |
| Male Plumage KEY | Brown barred back, spotted breast with black bib crescent; yellow wing linings and black mustache in the East (“yellow-shafted”), red linings and red mustache in the West (“red-shafted”) | Entire head crimson-red; black back and tail; huge white wing patches; clean white underparts (sexes alike) |
| Female Plumage | Identical pattern without the mustache stripe | Identical to the male |
| Bill Shape | Long, slightly decurved, gray — an ant probe | Stout, blue-gray |
| Tail | Stiff and pointed; white rump flashes in bounding flight | Black, stiff |
| Core Range KEY | All of North America in open woodland, parks and yards | East of the Rockies in open woods, orchards, parks and along roadsides with dead trees |
| Migration | Northern birds migrate; southern and western birds are largely resident | Partial migrant; northern birds withdraw in winter, following acorn crops |
| Feeder Presence | Suet and peanuts; more often seen digging ants on the lawn | Visits suet, nuts and cracked corn in open country yards; hoards acorns and beechnuts in bark crevices |
| Favorite Foods | Ants above all, plus beetles, berries and suet | Insects caught in flight, acorns, beechnuts, fruit and berries |
| Song | No song; a loud, rapid “wik-wik-wik” series | No true song — harsh calls instead |
| Flight Call | A loud “klee-yer” and the “wik-a” series | A harsh, rising “queeah” |
| Population Trend KEY | Declining gradually but still common and widespread | Declining — on conservation watch lists; dead trees are essential |
Male Field Marks, Side by Side
Northern Flicker — Male
Colaptes auratus
- Brown barred back, black bib, spotted breast.
- White rump flash and golden or red wing linings in flight.
- Feeds on the ground, lapping up ants with a two-inch tongue.
Red-headed Woodpecker — Male
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
- Fully crimson-red head — unmistakable adult.
- Checkerboard body: black with huge white wing patches.
- Flycatches insects and hoards acorns like a tiny lumberjack.
Female & Juvenile Marks, Side by Side
Northern Flicker — Female
Colaptes auratus
- No mustache — otherwise identical.
- Drums on gutters and chimney flashing in spring.
- Nests in tree cavities; starlings compete hard for the holes.
Red-headed Woodpecker — Female
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
- Identical to the male.
- Juveniles are brown-headed and streaky — a different look entirely.
- A year-round pair means standing dead trees nearby.
Part-by-Part Anatomy Breakdown
Every part offers a check:
| Body Part | Northern Flicker | Red-headed Woodpecker |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Gray and tan, small red nape crescent (East) | Entirely crimson, including the face |
| Body | Brown barred back, spotted breast, black bib | Black-and-white in bold blocks |
| Wings | Barred; golden or red linings flash | Black with huge white inner patches |
| Sexes | Male has a mustache; female does not | Sexes identical — both crimson-headed |
| Feeding Style | Ground-foraging for ants | Flycatching from snags; caching acorns |
| Call | Loud “klee-yer”, “wik-wik-wik” | Harsh “queer” and “tchur” |
| Status | Common and widespread | Declining — a prize at any feeder |
Song & Call Comparison
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
Calls: a loud klee-yer and a rapid wik-wik-wik series.
Drum: a long, even roll — often on metal at dawn.
Northern Flicker voice • Wikimedia Commons
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Voice: a harsh, rising queeah, plus dry rattles.
Drumming: slow, deliberate rolls on dead snags and poles.
Red-headed Woodpecker voice • Wikimedia Commons
Range & Seasonal Presence
The Northern Flicker lives continent-wide in open woodland and yards.
The Red-headed Woodpecker lives in open woods with dead snags — savanna, burns, beaver swamps — mostly in the Midwest and Southeast, declining as dead wood is removed.
Feeder Behavior & Favorite Foods
- Northern Flicker: suet and peanuts, plus the ants on your lawn.
- Red-headed Woodpecker: suet, sunflower and whole peanuts — it caches seed like a squirrel.
- Snags: leaving dead trees standing is the single best thing for red-headeds.
- Both drum in spring; red-headeds also flycatch around the feeder trees.
Temperament & Flock Behavior
Northern Flickers are adaptable ground birds, hopping lawns and perching on wires.
Red-headed Woodpeckers are pugnacious hoarders — they defend caches and snags, and even drive off bigger birds.
6-Step Backyard ID Checklist
- Head. All crimson = Red-headed; gray-tan = flicker.
- Body. Black-and-white blocks = Red-headed; brown and spotted = flicker.
- Sexes. Identical = Red-headed; male mustache = flicker.
- Feeding. Ground = flicker; flycatching = Red-headed.
- Wings. White patches = Red-headed; gold/red linings = flicker.
- Habitat. Snag-rich open woods = Red-headed; anywhere = flicker.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you tell a flicker from a Red-headed Woodpecker?
Red-headeds have an entirely crimson head and bold black-and-white body blocks. Flickers are brown with bars, spots and a black bib, and feed on the ground.
Which is more common?
The flicker, by far — Red-headed Woodpeckers have declined steeply with the removal of dead trees.
Why do Red-headed Woodpeckers hide acorns?
They are champion cachers — stuffing acorns and seeds into bark crevices and fence posts for winter.
Do male and female Red-headed Woodpeckers look different?
No — both sexes have the full crimson head, unusual among woodpeckers.
Can they interbreed?
No — they are different genera and never hybridize.
What feeder foods attract them?
Both take suet and peanuts; red-headeds also hoard sunflower seeds from feeders.
Key Takeaways
- Head: All red = Red-headed; gray-tan = flicker.
- Body: Blocks = Red-headed; bars/spots = flicker.
- Feeding: Ground = flicker; flycatching = Red-headed.
- Sexes: Identical = Red-headed.
- Status: Red-headed declining — spare the snags.
- Caching: Acorn hoarder = Red-headed.