Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) - local seasonal appearance

Based on 29 observations in Seymour township, Northumberland county, southeast Ontario, 1999-2003.

The northern flicker (in Ontario, generally the yellow-shafted variant) has been sighted in the township as early as 17 April and as late as 21 October, although only one October sighting has been made. It is seen most often in late summer and early fall, often glimpsed as it rises swiftly through the woods, displaying a telltale white rump.

At Presqu'ile provincial park, roughly 40 km to the south, the flicker is a common migrant and summer resident. Spring migration typically occurs from late March to mid-May, with fall migration from mid-August to late October. Small numbers of individuals have been found overwintering at the park (LaForest, 1993, pp.230-231). In Peterborough county, to the northwest, the bird is a common summer resident, and a rare winter species, with most arrivals in late March to early April and departure as late as 15 October (Sadler, 1983, pp.104-105).


northern flicker [104 kb]

References

LaFOREST,SM (1993) Birds of Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Friends of Presqu'ile Park / Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 436pp.

SADLER,D (1983) Our Heritage of Birds: Peterborough County in the Kawarthas. Peterborough Field Naturalists / Orchid Press, Peterborough, ON, 192pp.


Graham Wilson, updated 31 December 2003

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