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Range (North America west)

North America, west to the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains and Alaska; breeds throughout its range, and winters from Illinois and Massachusetts southward. Washington, common S. R., rare W. V. Sing Sing, common S. R., Mch. 25 to Oct. 30; a few winter. Cambridge, very common S. R., common W. V. Nest, in trees, about ten feet from the ground, frequently in orchards. Eggs, five to nine, 1.10 x 86.

The habits, notes, and colors of this well-known bird are reflected in the popular names which have been applied to it throughout its wide range. No less than thirty-six of these aliases have been recorded, and many have doubtless escaped the compiler. The Flicker is a bird of character. Although a Woodpecker, he is too original to follow in the footsteps of others of his tribe. They do not frequent the ground, but that is no reason why he should not humor his own terrestrial propensities, and we may therefore frequently flush him from the earth, when, with a low chuckle, he goes bounding off through the air, his white rump showing conspicuously as he flies.

NIGHTHAWKS, WHIP-POOR-WILLS, ETC.

The Flicker, like other Woodpeckers, beats a rolling tattoo in the spring, but his vocal song proper is a rapidly-repeated, mellow cũhcùh-cůh-cůh-cůh, etc., as springlike a sound as the peeping of frogs. His usual note is a vigorous, nasal kèe-yer. It recalls frosty fall mornings when the High-holes are gathering to feed on the woodbine and pepperidge berries. Approaching their feeding grounds, one may hear the "Flicker" note. It can be closely imitated by the swishing of a willow wand: weèchew, weèchew, weèchew. I never remember hearing a bird utter this note when alone. It is accompanied by the oddest gestures, as with tails stiffly spread the birds bob and bow to each other.