Colaptes auratus auratus

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Yellow-shafted flicker
French : Pic flamboyant

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Piciformes
Family : Picidae
Notes : 9 other subspecies known

Identification
Adults can grow up to 35 cm in length for a weight of 164 g. Pointed black bill. Coloration salmon-beige with black barring on wings, grey nape and crown with red patch, black blotch on breast. White belly with white spots. Yellow underwing.

Range and habitat
The species breeds from Alaska and north-west Canada to south-east Canada, most of eastern USA, Cuba, Gran Cayman Isl. Winters in north-east Mexico. Subspecies found in Southeast USA. Lives in open areas, including forest edges, farmlands, up to 4000 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species remains fairly common to locally abundant in most of its range. Cuban race is threatened by deforestation.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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