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[[File:Northern flicker.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Yellowhammer]]
The '''Yellowhammer''' ('''''Colaptes auratus'''''), also known as the '''Northern flicker''', is a medium-sized woodpecker native to North and Central America. The subspecies ''Colaptes auratus auratus'' or '''Yellow-shafted flicker''' is common in eastern North America and is recognized as Alabama's state bird.  
The '''Yellowhammer''' ('''''Colaptes auratus'''''), also known as the '''Northern flicker''', is a medium-sized woodpecker native to North and Central America. The subspecies ''Colaptes auratus auratus'' or '''Yellow-shafted flicker''' is common in eastern North America and is recognized as Alabama's state bird.  


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Yellowhammers, unlike other woodpeckers, probe the ground mass for food (usually insects, supplemented with berries, seeds and nuts) rather than using their bills to dig into tree bark for larvae. They favor ants and ant larvae, both for nutritional value and for the formic acid in their bodies, which assists in preening their feathers and defending against parasites.
Yellowhammers, unlike other woodpeckers, probe the ground mass for food (usually insects, supplemented with berries, seeds and nuts) rather than using their bills to dig into tree bark for larvae. They favor ants and ant larvae, both for nutritional value and for the formic acid in their bodies, which assists in preening their feathers and defending against parasites.


Like other woodpeckers yellowhammers repeatedly drum on tree trunks or other loud surfaces to claim territory and call to others of their species. They also voice a laugh-like call, often transcribed as "ki ki ki ki."
Like other woodpeckers yellowhammers do carve burrows into tree trunks for nests. These are typically accessed through 2-4 inch diameter holes and extend about 13 to 16 inches, widening at the bottom where eggs are incubated over a layer of wood chips. Yellowhammers also drum on tree trunks or other loud surfaces to defend their nests, claim foraging territory, or to call to others of their species. They also voice a laugh-like call, often transcribed as "ki ki ki ki."


In flight yellowhammers alternate quick successions of wing flaps with gliding descents, forming an undulating path.
Yellowhammer clutches usually consist of 6-8 large glossy white eggs. Parents take turns incubating them for 10-12 days. nestlings instinctively climb the sides of their burrows within three weeks of hatching. They young are fledged and able to fly about four weeks after hatching. In flight yellowhammers alternate quick successions of wing flaps with gliding descents, forming an undulating path. Colaptes is the only genus of woodpeckers to migrate, but yellow-shafted flickers in the Southern United States typically stay year-round. They live for up to nine years.


The association between yellowhammers and the state of Alabama dates to the [[Civil War]]. According to legend, the cavalry company raised in Madison County by Reverend D. C. Kelley joined with Nathan Forrest's regiment at their camp in Hopkinsville, Kentucky during the winter of 1861-1862. In contrast to the disheveled remnants worn by the veterans there, the Alabamiams were clad in new uniforms trimmed with cavalry yellow. A private in Company A, identified as Will Arnett, greeted their arrival with a sarcastic "Yellowhammer, Yellowhammer, flicker, flicker!". The appellation was immediately celebrated, and soon spread as a nickname for all Alabamians in the Confederate service. After the end of the war, veterans from Alabama who participated in reunions often wore Yellowhammer feathers. Alabama State Representative [[Tom Martin]] introduced a bill formally recognizing the bird as a state symbol in [[1927]]. The bill passed and was signed into law by [[Governor of Alabama|Governor]] [[Bibb Graves]] on [[September 6]] of that year.
The association between yellowhammers and the state of Alabama dates to the [[Civil War]]. According to legend, the cavalry company raised in Madison County by Reverend D. C. Kelley joined with Nathan Forrest's regiment at their camp in Hopkinsville, Kentucky during the winter of 1861-1862. In contrast to the disheveled remnants worn by the veterans there, the Alabamiams were clad in new uniforms trimmed with cavalry yellow. A private in Company A, identified as Will Arnett, greeted their arrival with a sarcastic "Yellowhammer, Yellowhammer, flicker, flicker!". The appellation was immediately celebrated, and soon spread as a nickname for all Alabamians in the Confederate service. After the end of the war, veterans from Alabama who participated in reunions often wore Yellowhammer feathers. Alabama State Representative [[Tom Martin]] introduced a bill formally recognizing the bird as a state symbol in [[1927]]. The bill passed and was signed into law by [[Governor of Alabama|Governor]] [[Bibb Graves]] on [[September 6]] of that year.
<!--==Habitat==
Flickers may be observed in open habitats near trees, including woodlands, edges, yards, and parks. In the western United States, one can find them in mountain forests all the way up to [[tree line]]. Northern flickers generally nest in holes in trees like other woodpeckers. Occasionally, they have been found nesting in old, earthen burrows vacated by [[belted kingfisher]]s or [[sand martin|bank swallows]]. Both sexes help with nest excavation. The entrance hole is about {{Convert|7.6|cm|in|abbr = on}} in diameter, and the cavity is {{Convert|33|-|41|cm|in|abbr = on}} deep. The cavity widens at bottom to make room for eggs and the incubating adult. Inside, the cavity is bare except for a bed of wood chips for the eggs and chicks to rest on. Once nestlings are about 17 days old, they begin clinging to the cavity wall rather than lying on the floor.
==Life==
The oldest yet known "yellow-shafted" northern flicker lived to be at least 9 years 2 months old, and the oldest yet known “red-shafted” northern flicker lived to be at least 8 years 9 months old.
Their breeding habitat consists of forested areas across North America and as far south as [[Central America]]. They are cavity nesters which typically nest in trees, but they also use posts and birdhouses if sized and situated appropriately. They prefer to excavate their own home, although they reuse and repair damaged or abandoned nests. Abandoned flicker nests create habitat for other cavity nesters. Flickers are sometimes driven from nesting sites by another cavity nester, the [[Common starling|European starling]].
About 1 to 2 weeks are needed for a mated pair to build the nest. The entrance hole is roughly {{Convert|5|to|10|cm|abbr=on}} wide.
A typical clutch consists of six to eight eggs whose shells are pure white with a smooth surface and high gloss. The eggs are the second-largest of the North American woodpecker species, exceeded only by the pileated woodpecker's. Incubation is by both sexes for about 11 to 12 days. The young are fed by regurgitation and fledge about 25 to 28 days after hatching.
Northern birds migrate to the southern parts of the range; southern birds are often permanent residents.-->


==References==
==References==
* Noe, Kenneth W. (2003) "Introduction" to ''The Yellowhammer War: The Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama.'' Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press ISBN 9780817318086
* Noe, Kenneth W. (2003) "Introduction" to ''The Yellowhammer War: The Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama.'' Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press ISBN 9780817318086
* "[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Northern_flicker Northern flicker]" (March 28, 2018) Wikipedia - accessed July 3, 2018


==External links==
==External links==

Latest revision as of 16:16, 3 July 2018

Yellowhammer

The Yellowhammer (Colaptes auratus), also known as the Northern flicker, is a medium-sized woodpecker native to North and Central America. The subspecies Colaptes auratus auratus or Yellow-shafted flicker is common in eastern North America and is recognized as Alabama's state bird.

Yellowhammers range from 11–14 inches long with 17–21 inch wing spans. Male flickers are typically light grayish brown in color with broken black bars on the body feathers, a white rump, and yellow flashes underneath the flight feathers of the wings and tail. The crown and back of the head are capped with gray, set off with a red bar at the nape of the neck. The face is beige with a dark gray beak, buff cheeks and a black "moustache" and bib on the throat. The chest is lighter cream color with black specks. Females are similar in size and color, but lack the black marks on the face.

Yellowhammers, unlike other woodpeckers, probe the ground mass for food (usually insects, supplemented with berries, seeds and nuts) rather than using their bills to dig into tree bark for larvae. They favor ants and ant larvae, both for nutritional value and for the formic acid in their bodies, which assists in preening their feathers and defending against parasites.

Like other woodpeckers yellowhammers do carve burrows into tree trunks for nests. These are typically accessed through 2-4 inch diameter holes and extend about 13 to 16 inches, widening at the bottom where eggs are incubated over a layer of wood chips. Yellowhammers also drum on tree trunks or other loud surfaces to defend their nests, claim foraging territory, or to call to others of their species. They also voice a laugh-like call, often transcribed as "ki ki ki ki."

Yellowhammer clutches usually consist of 6-8 large glossy white eggs. Parents take turns incubating them for 10-12 days. nestlings instinctively climb the sides of their burrows within three weeks of hatching. They young are fledged and able to fly about four weeks after hatching. In flight yellowhammers alternate quick successions of wing flaps with gliding descents, forming an undulating path. Colaptes is the only genus of woodpeckers to migrate, but yellow-shafted flickers in the Southern United States typically stay year-round. They live for up to nine years.

The association between yellowhammers and the state of Alabama dates to the Civil War. According to legend, the cavalry company raised in Madison County by Reverend D. C. Kelley joined with Nathan Forrest's regiment at their camp in Hopkinsville, Kentucky during the winter of 1861-1862. In contrast to the disheveled remnants worn by the veterans there, the Alabamiams were clad in new uniforms trimmed with cavalry yellow. A private in Company A, identified as Will Arnett, greeted their arrival with a sarcastic "Yellowhammer, Yellowhammer, flicker, flicker!". The appellation was immediately celebrated, and soon spread as a nickname for all Alabamians in the Confederate service. After the end of the war, veterans from Alabama who participated in reunions often wore Yellowhammer feathers. Alabama State Representative Tom Martin introduced a bill formally recognizing the bird as a state symbol in 1927. The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Bibb Graves on September 6 of that year.

References

  • Noe, Kenneth W. (2003) "Introduction" to The Yellowhammer War: The Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press ISBN 9780817318086
  • "Northern flicker" (March 28, 2018) Wikipedia - accessed July 3, 2018

External links

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