Alabama State flag Location The northern flicker or common flicker ( Colaptes auratus ) is a medium-sized bird of the woodpecker family. It is native to most of North America, parts of Central America, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands , and is one of the few woodpecker species that migrate . Over 100 common names for the northern flicker are known, including yellowhammer (not to be confused with the Eurasian yellowhammer ( Emberiza citrinella )), clape , gaffer woodpecker , harry-wicket , [2] heigh-ho , wake-up , walk-up , wick-up , yarrup , and gawker bird . Many of these names derive from attempts to imitate some of its calls . It is the state bird of Alabama (known by its colloquial name "yellowhammer"). [3]