Northern Flicker

Cornell’s All About Birds

Northern FlickerEllicott City

Male
Ellicott City
March 3, 2013
Photo by Annette Allor

Ellicott City March 3, 2013 Photo by Annette Allor

Female
Ellicott City
March 3, 2013
Photo by Annette Allor

MPEA

MPEA
August 26, 2012
Photo by Howard Patterson

Northern Flicker w/ young

Dorsey Search
July 25, 2022
Photo by Annette Allor

Annette Allor filmed the Northern Flicker Wicka Dance on February 20, 2022. In this video, two Northern Flickers of the same sex (in this case males) face one another in a highly ritualized “Wicka Dance.” It is usually performed during the early stages of breeding. It is frequently accompanied by the “Wicka” vocalization. The birds face off using their upward-tilted bills as foils creating circles and figure-8s in the air—only rarely touching. The appearance of a third bird (of the opposite sex) increases the intensity of the “dance.” Flashing of the golden linings of wings and tail may occur.