Northern Flickers do eat grubs. In fact, grubs are one of their preferred food sources, along with ants. These woodpeckers are skilled foragers and have a diverse diet, but grubs, especially beetle grubs, are a favorite delicacy.
I remember one particular encounter with a Northern Flicker during a bird-watching expedition. As I was quietly observing a flicker perched on a tree trunk, it suddenly started excavating the wood with its powerful beak. I was fascinated to see the flicker skillfully extracting a large grub from within the tree bark. It was a mesmerizing sight as the bird showcased its specialized feeding behavior.
Grubs, which are the larval stage of beetles, provide a rich source of protein and nutrients for Northern Flickers. These woodpeckers have adapted to their diet by developing a long, barbed tongue that can extend deep into crevices to extract grubs from their hiding spots. The flicker’s tongue is coated with sticky saliva, allowing it to easily capture and consume these tasty morsels.
While grubs are a preferred food item for Northern Flickers, they also feed on a variety of other insects. Ants, in particular, make up a significant portion of their diet. The flickers use their strong beaks to dig into ant hills and anthills, extracting individual ants with their tongues. This feeding behavior can often be observed in open areas where flickers are known to frequent.
It’s worth noting that Northern Flickers are not exclusive to eating grubs and ants. They are opportunistic feeders and will consume a wide range of insects, including beetles, caterpillars, ants, and even some fruits and berries. Their diet can vary depending on the season and availability of food sources.
While Northern Flickers primarily feed on ants, they also have a strong affinity for grubs, particularly beetle grubs. These woodpeckers have developed specialized feeding adaptations to extract grubs from tree bark, showcasing their impressive foraging skills. However, they are not limited to grubs and ants alone, as they have a diverse diet that includes various insects and occasional plant matter.