ALABAMA State Bird
The Yellowhammer – also known as the Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
FUN FACTS / TRIVIA
- Unique Ground-Foraging Behavior: Unlike most woodpeckers, the Yellowhammer often forages on the ground rather than in trees. It has a particular taste for ants, which make up a significant portion of its diet.
- Color Variations: The Northern Flicker has two primary color forms. The “Yellow-shafted” form, found in the eastern United States, including Alabama, has bright yellow underwings and tail feathers. The “Red-shafted” form, found in the western U.S., has red underwings and tail feathers.
- State Bird of Alabama: The Yellowhammer was designated as Alabama’s state bird in 1927. Its nickname was also used as a moniker for Confederate soldiers from Alabama during the Civil War, reflecting the bird’s strong association with the state.
- Loud Drumming and Calls: Yellowhammers are known for their loud, rhythmic drumming on trees, which they use to communicate and establish territory. They also have a distinctive, repetitive call that sounds like “wick-a-wick-a-wick.”
- Migration Habits: While some Northern Flickers are migratory, many in the southern parts of the United States, including Alabama, tend to stay year-round, making them a familiar sight in the state’s forests and woodlands.
- Nest Excavators: Yellowhammers are excellent nest builders, often excavating cavities in dead trees or using existing holes to create their nests. These nests are later used by other bird species, making the Yellowhammer an important contributor to local ecosystems.
- Polka-Dotted Plumage: The Yellowhammer’s chest is adorned with a distinctive pattern of black spots, which stand out against its brownish body, giving it a striking and easily recognizable appearance.