The Northern Flicker is the State Bird of Alabama. The bill to create a state bird was introduced in the 1927 legislature by Representative Thomas E. Martin, of Montgomery County. It was approved on September 6, 1927, the same day the goldenrod became the state flower.

Since the Civil War many people have called Alabama the "Yellowhammer State". Some stories say Alabama troops in Huntsville wore uniforms with yellow trim, which reminded people of the Flicker bird. When the Confederate Veterans in Alabama were organized they took pride in being referred to as the "Yellowhammers," and wore a yellowhammer feather in their caps or lapels during reunions.

• The Common Flicker is a woodpecker. It is found throughout Alabama
  and is present all year.

   

• Names used locally: Yellowhammer, Flicker, Yellow-shafted Flicker, and Southern Flicker.

   

• Flickers are reported to eat more ants than any other American bird.
  They also eat grasshoppers, crickets, berries, nuts and seeds. They especially like the berries of poison ivy.

   

• The Common Flicker walks on the ground more than other woodpeckers,
  and has an awkward hopping movement. It is often seen feeding on lawns
  and is, perhaps, the most common woodpecker of the city and suburban
  areas.

   

• The female lays 6 to 10 white colored eggs in its nest. They usually nest in
  holes in dead trees or fence posts.

   

• Sometimes Flickers will nest in a nesting box. A box for a Flicker should
  have a 7 x 7 inch floor, be 16 to 18 inches deep and have a 2 1/2 inch
  diameter entrance located 2 inches from the top. It should be located 6
  to 20 feet above ground. The bottom should be covered with wood
  chips to a depth of 2 inches. Try and build your own!