Read About Alabama State Bird

Alabama State Bird is the Yellowhammer, also known as the Northern Flicker or Golden-Winged Woodpecker. Here's everything you need to know about them.

Alabama State Bird -- Facts

1. Breed:

   The Yellowhammer is a member of the woodpecker family.

2. Size:

   The Yellowhammer grows to a length of 10-14 inches.

3. Varieties:

   There are several other regional varieties of the flicker besides the yellowhammer: the yellow-shafted, the red-shafted, and the gilded.

4. Physical Traits:

   The yellowhammer has gray feathers with yellow patches, red polka dots on the breast, and a red band around the neck. The male only has a red or black stripe on the side of its face. The male also has a heavy, sharp bill and thick neck muscles, as well as sharp curved claws so it can cling to trees.

Alabama State Bird -- Care

1. Houses:

   Yellowhammers will usually use a nest box fairly often. Placing wood chips or sawdust in the nest box may help to attract the birds.

2. Feeders:

   Yellowhammers may be attracted to the yard with suet feeders or other feeders that can hold seed, berries, fruits or nuts.

3. Food:

   The yellowhammer eats ants and other insects, pokeberries, dogwood berries, wild plums, mealworms and seeds.

Alabama State Bird -- Behavior

1. Flight Patterns:

   The yellowhammer is partially migratory, but most remain in their habitat year-round.

2. Feeding:

   The yellowhammer eats ants, grasshoppers, crickets and caterpillars, as well as most types of seeds, berries, fruits and nuts. Poison ivy berries are a particular favorite.

3. Nesting:

   Yellowhammers build their nests in cavities of dead trees, fence posts, utility poles, or even under the eaves of houses. They lay between 3 and 14 eggs (one egg per day until the clutch is completed), which hatch in about 12 days.

4. Geographic Locations:

   The yellowhammer is found throughout all of Alabama, as well as neighboring states. Other types of flickers are found throughout North America.

Alabama State Bird -- How to Choose

1. Supplies:

   Besides a nesting box, you may want a suet feeder or other type of feeder.

2. Expense:

   Nesting boxes are fairly inexpensive (or you can build your own). Suet feeders don't cost very much, but you will find yourself replacing the suet cakes often.

3. Other items you may need:

   You may want a pair of binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens so that you can watch the yellowhammers feeding from a distance.