Northern Flicker (Red-shafted form)

This slim, dark feather has conspicuous pale spots and a striking reddish shaft. Northern Flickers are large, ground-foraging woodpeckers with spotted underparts and a bold face pattern; western birds flash orange-red underwings and tail in flight.

Predominantly dark brown-black with several pale buff spots along one edge. The rachis is warm orange-red, characteristic of the red-shafted form.

Dense, interlocking pennaceous barbs form a mostly intact vane; edges appear somewhat loose or worn.

The slender, reddish rachis runs nearly the feather’s full length; dark barbs are compact, with pale spots interrupting the outer vane.

Matte to slightly satiny, with a firm vane and some wispy barbs along the edges.

Likely from the tail, based on the narrow, tapered form and contrasting shaft; a wing feather cannot be ruled out.

The combination of a red-orange rachis, dark vane, and pale spotting supports Northern Flicker, especially the red-shafted form. A single feather may not establish species or feather position conclusively.

Northern Flickers use open woodlands, forest edges, parks, and yards; they nest in tree cavities and often forage on the ground for ants.

Found across much of North America. Red-shafted birds are typical in western regions, including Arizona; many northern birds migrate south in winter.

Flickers consume ants and other insects and provide nesting cavities later used by other wildlife. The species remains widespread, though habitat loss and competition for nest cavities can affect local populations.

Other woodpeckers can have dark, spotted feathers, but the reddish shaft points toward a western red-shafted flicker. Yellow-shafted flickers have yellow shafts; feather position and lighting can complicate this distinction.

Flickers often feed on ants rather than drilling for wood-boring insects. Their loud calls and repeated drumming carry over open woodland.

Woodpecker feathers have cultural significance in some Indigenous traditions. Possession or trade of native bird feathers in the United States may be regulated; do not collect or sell without checking applicable laws.

Compare the shaft color and spot pattern with verified regional references, and photograph both sides with a scale. In the United States, most native bird feathers are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so leave found feathers in place.

Appears largely intact, with some edge fraying; no clear evidence of active growth, major breakage, or contamination. Condition: Good.

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