Immature Northern Flicker perched on a dead branch
This immature Northern Flicker was one of the last birds I spotted and photographed three days ago while up in the Wasatch Mountains and I was happy that she stayed long enough for me to take a nice series of images of her. I haven’t had many opportunities to take photos of flickers this year because they have been skittish or too far away. I also didn’t get to spend much time where the flickers would have been excavating nesting cavities and nesting and I have found that is one of the best times of the year to see them regularly in the same location.
Her plumage is a bit messy but I honestly don’t care. I know that she is a young female because the black patch on her upper chest isn’t fully developed and a young male at this age would show some hint of a red malar stripe and nape crescent.
Shortly after I took this photo the young Northern Flicker took off and although I did get a sharp lift off photo of her I clipped a bit of her bill and wing tip. I wish I hadn’t done that!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Northern Flicker photos plus facts and information about this species.
She is a little “unpolished,” but all the better for me to learn to I.D. these juvies!
Even scruffy she is a beauty.
She looks like she is in mid-poop pose!
Great shot!