The official state bird of Alabama is the Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus, though it is recognized by its traditional nickname, the Yellowhammer. This unique member of the woodpecker family serves as a living emblem, representing the state’s natural heritage and deep historical connection. Its enduring popularity led to its formal adoption, establishing it as a singular symbol of the state’s cultural identity.
The Northern Flicker Its Appearance and Name
The Northern Flicker is a medium-sized woodpecker distinguished by its intricate plumage, which sets it apart from its tree-drilling relatives. Its back and wings are covered in grayish-brown feathers barred with black, contrasting with a buff-colored breast marked with black spots. A prominent black crescent is displayed across the upper chest.
The Eastern subspecies possesses a gray crown and a red patch on the nape of the neck. The most identifying feature, and the source of its popular name, is the brilliant yellow coloration visible in the shafts of the flight feathers and the undersides of the wings and tail. Male flickers can be identified by a black malar stripe, or “mustache,” extending from the base of the bill across the cheek.
This species is unique among woodpeckers because it forages primarily on the ground, often hopping across lawns and fields in search of its preferred food. Flickers use a long, barbed, and sticky tongue to extract ants and other ground-dwelling insects from their nests.
They also use their strong bills to drum on resonant surfaces like metal vents or hollow trees. This behavior is used to communicate and establish territory rather than to excavate for food. The scientific name, Colaptes auratus, reflects its golden color, as auratus is a Latin term meaning “gilded.” The familiar name “Yellowhammer” describes the flash of yellow seen when the bird moves its wings, resembling a small hammer striking a surface.
History of the State Symbol Designation
The Northern Flicker was officially designated as Alabama’s state bird on September 6, 1927, through an act signed by Governor Bibb Graves. The bill formalized a cultural association that had existed for more than half a century prior to the legislative action. This designation was not based on the bird’s biological significance but rather on a deep-rooted historical anecdote from the American Civil War.
During the conflict, a company of young Confederate cavalrymen from Huntsville arrived at a camp in Kentucky wearing new uniforms trimmed with bright yellow fabric. The contrast between these new uniforms and the worn clothing of the veterans was apparent. Veterans compared the yellow-trimmed soldiers to the Yellowhammer bird, and the nickname “Yellowhammer Company” stuck to the Alabama troops.
The term soon spread, and all Confederate soldiers from Alabama became known as “Yellowhammers.” After the war, veterans proudly embraced the moniker, sometimes wearing yellow feathers in their caps during reunions. This lasting connection between the bird and the state’s military heritage is why Alabama is still widely known as the “Yellowhammer State.” The 1927 law formally cemented this historical and cultural link.