This cache is part of a series of caches on the Great Florida Birding Trail for my Girl Scout Gold Award project. The purpose is to teach people about the birds native to the area so they can learn more about the birds and how to protect them and their environment.
The cache is located at the Blue Heron Water Reclamation Facility and Wetland Area, located at 4800 Deep Marsh Rd, Titusville, 32780, open Mondays-Fridays, 7 am to 3:30 pm. You can only go on weekends by making an appointment. It is recommended to drive your vehicle around the wetland instead of walking, but remember to check in and out of the visitor center.
Northern Flicker
Characteristics
- Fairly large woodpeckers with a slim, rounded head, and long, flared tail
- Brownish overall with a white belly, the undersides of the wing and tail feathers are bright yellow
- Plumage is richly patterned with black spots, bars, and cresents
Behavior
- Forages by hopping on ground, climbing tree trunks and limbs, occasionally flying out to catch insects in the air
- Will perch in outer branches to eat fruits and berries
Conservation Status
- Although still abundant and widespread, recent surveys indicate declines in population over much of the range since the 1960s
- Introduced starlings compete with flickers for freshly excavated nesting sites, may drive the flickers away
Habitat
- Open habitats near trees, including woodlands, edges, yards, and parks
- Tends to avoid dense unbroken forest, requiring some open ground for foraging
Interesting Facts
- Has been reported catching young bats leaving their roost
- In the East, the bird was yellow coloring, but in the West it is red instead