Bird of the Week: CLXXII
The Gilded Flicker, Colaptes chrysoides, is a large-bodied woodpecker with a long bill that lives in the Sonoran Desert and can be found from central Arizona to southeastern California and south into Mexico. It looks similar to the Gila Woodpecker that I wrote about HERE.
SIZE:
- Length: 11 inches (28 cm)
- Weight: 3.3-4.5 oz (92-129 g)
- Wingspan: 19.7-20.5 inches (50-52 cm)
COLORING
Gilded Flickers are pale brown and gray with a large black mark on their chest, bold spots on the breast, finely barred back, and a cinnamon crown. You can see their white behind while they are in flight along with yellow feathers under their wings. Males are distinguished from females with their red mustache. You can see the female in the above photos and male below.
They forage on the ground for insects including ants and their larvae and beetles. They also eat seeds and fruits of cactus. They have a long tongue that helps them lap up insects.
Gilded Flickers are monogamous and mate for life, but if their mate dies they may pair with a new one.
In the desert, they make nests in the holes hallowed out in giant saguaro cactus as well as cottonwood trees along rivers.
CALLS:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Gilded_Flicker/sounds
We have a northern flicker who is similar but a bit more dramatic in appearance.
The Northern Flicker and Gilded Flicker are closely related. Our Flicker is a bit smaller and you’re right, not as dramatic.
Same as Rivergirl, we have the northern flicker that may have reddish or even yellow markings, although I don’t think that I’ve ever seen one…yet!
Our Flicker is slightly smaller. I read that desert species tend to be smaller. I hope you see a Northern Flicker.
Great photos Elizabeth. Stunning looking birds. You would know when they were around
Thanks. Yes they are good looking birds.They don’t come around that often, so I’m glad I did get these photos.
I had a question about cameras on my site today that I hope you might give me some insight. Enjoy the day, lots of information about these birds. I keep trying to think about photographing the cardinal but it is a tad shy of being photographed.
I will take a look at your blog. I hope I can give you insight on cameras.
Oh, good. I have missed your comments on my blog. I hope all is well.
You had said you were taking a break. Then your blog quit showing up in my reader so I didn’t know you were posting. WP has been very glitchy lately.
Oh, okay, yeah, I just could not keep away and some things got resolved, so I just kept going.
Good to hear!
Mike and I have had a lot of medical appointments but things are actually going very well. Lets hope it continues! Hope your husband is also doing better with his knee operation and recovery.
That’s good to hear that things are going well. We have lots of appointments as well. My husband is getting better.
I am glad to hear this. I was very worried about my right hip, but the cortisone shot helped immensely and the doc is slowly curing Michael’s other ailments, other than his cancer which sounds challenging but it is good. Grandkids are coming next week for a visit. Lots is happening. Much better than I anticipated, many things. Thank you!
That’s all good news! FYI, when I went to your blog, the latest is from June 6 and I didn’t see anything about cameras.
Oh, I see. I have to post as sticky and this brings the latest blog to the forefront. I will do that now.
Okay great! I thought it was something with WP. It comes up now.
Okay, I just changed it. I didn’t think you had to post it as sticky. I thought all subscribers would receive it. I guess not.
I’m telling you that WP has been acting up lately. On one of my posts, comments disappeared. Then many bloggers I subscribe to don’t show up.
I have just learned that you might need to post as a sticky and the latest post shows up first. This might help. That is weird. I don’t think that WP will be much help but maybe they will answer you. Yes, I thought that WP was becoming slower as many didn’t show up, either.
gorgeous pic of bird. ♥️
Thank you!
Lovely photos!
Thank you! I show my weekly bird post to my husband. He said he thought I got them off the internet 😊
What a compliment!! 😊
It was indeed!
The red mustache is very distinguished!
It is a handsome bird! One of my cardinal babies is getting red splotches. It’s a boy!
Oh my goodness. Could that first pic be any more perfect????? Nature brings us the most exquisite color ways and designs…right before our eyes in precious creatures. Thanks, Elizabeth! 💝💝💝
I’m so glad you like that first photo. I was so excited about it. I shared the post with my husband and he thought I got that photo off the internet!
YES!!!!! See???? I’m not the only one! Absolute perfection. If I was a textile designer — for clothes, home decor — I’d be saving your photo for inspiration. I can see a very tweedy blazer inspired by that sweet gilded flicker! 😜💝😜
Thank you! I took two photos yesterday that a friend told me were my best yet. They are of my female cardinal Mrs. I’ll have to post them on Friday. It’s exciting to go through my photos and find something that works. Yes, I like the idea of a tweed blazer with a gilded flicker pattern. I’d buy that!
Love all of this!!!!! ❤️😉❤️
Yay! 😀
Lovely looking birds. Do you see them only in certain seasons, or year round? I’m curious, since they mate for life do they also keep company the rest of the year
They are attractive birds. They are here year round, but they are not every day visitors like the Gila Woodpeckers that I wrote about earlier. I see them every day.
I love the detailed descriptions along with the photos.
Thank you. I am doing a Bird of the Week challenge where we share photos and information about birds. It was suggested to me by WP blogger bushboy from Australia. I.J. Khanewala from India, I believe, started and runs it. I may run out of birds someday!
I love all your birds! Of course Mr and Mrs Red are stars.
Thank you! Yes Mr. and Mrs. are my stars. And their babies, too!
They do look very much like our Northern flickers and probably behave much the same.
The Gilded Flicker is supposed to be similar to the Northern Flicker, except a little bit smaller and a bit different coloring.
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