While out for my morning walk I saw this northern flicker busily engaged with his breakfast.

I at first wasn’t sure what he was doing – it looked initially like he was digging a hole – but his attention was completely captured.

He was right next to the sidewalk and eventually flew away because someone came too close.

After he left I could see that he had found an ant colony and was feasting on them and their eggs.

Northern flickers will often eat the bugs that are infesting trees, so they actually help them to stay healthy. They will come to your yard if you put out suet and a water source, and will also proceed to feast on any bugs you have lurking around there.

Northern flickers are protected as their numbers have been in decline, so I was happy to see this little guy.

Happy Saturday.