A Riverside Encounter with Northern Flicker Chicks

 A Riverside Encounter with Northern Flicker Chicks  

While camping at Lincoln Rock State Park in eastern Washington, I set out with my camera and curiosity, hoping to catch glimpses of nesting birds along the river’s edge. I unexpectedly found a Northern Flicker nest, carefully excavated in an aging tree just a short distance from the water.

The nest was alive with quiet energy. A female flicker stood nearby, perched with calm vigilance as she took a short rest between feedings. Her cinnamon-brown plumage blended beautifully into the bark, and she kept one eye trained on the nest cavity. I carefully found a nonintrusive spot to see, ensuring I did not disrupt the rhythm of her routine or the natural serenity of the moment.

Over the next hour, I watched her come and go, each visit marked by a flutter of wings and a delivery of tasty morsels for her young. The two chicks inside the nest took turns poking their tiny heads out, wide-eyed, and full of wonder, scanning the world just beyond their safe hollow. Each time she returned, it was like magic, their heads would disappear, only to pop back up, eagerly waiting for the next round of bugs.

It felt like a window into their quiet lives, tucked away in that riverside tree. The quiet beauty, patience, and instinct I saw served as a reminder that life goes on all around us, whether or not we are paying attention.

Flicker Facts  

Northern Flickers are a type of woodpecker known for their unique behaviors and striking plumage. Unlike most woodpeckers that drill into trees for food, Northern Flickers often search for insects on the ground. Both male and female individuals take part in the excavation of nest cavities, which are typically found in dead or decaying trees.  During breeding season, the parents share responsibilities equally, both feeding and protecting their young with remarkable cooperation.

How to tell them apart: 

Male Northern Flickers often have a black or red “mustache” mark (depending on regional variation) along the cheek.

Females lack this mustache but are otherwise remarkably similar in size and coloring.

© Chris LeBoutillier

“Photographs are silent; one’s thoughts give them life.” ™ -Chris LeBoutillier