The Northern Flicker is a common resident across the U.S. In the West, the Red-shafted form is the most common variety seen. While they are a woodpecker, the Northern Flicker actually spends a lot of time on the ground searching for food and particularly enjoys gobbling up ants from the neighborhood ant pile. I found a photo of a Flicker perched upon an ant hill with one unlucky ant hanging from his beak. I just had to carve it! Trying to carve a bird in the proper habitat and carrying on with life’s duties can be challenging in capturing the “personality” of the bird. Creating the Harvester Ants was even more challenging! The ants are scurrying around trying to respond to this bird. The base of the carving is of rotted mesquite, full of holes, and really adds to the realism of the piece. The Flicker is a beautiful bird, and I hope I captured a little of the life of the bird….and the ants!