Originally Posted by BuildingBeautifulSouls

Flicker (or Flickr) birds are a type of Woodpecker that prefers to stay closer to the ground where they can easily gather beetles and ants into their beak. In this simple action the Flicker reminds us that doing things differently, more resourcefully, and frugally often lands us in good stead.

The Flicker is a communicator, typically drumming out warnings that can be heard upward of a ½ mile away. If one has come into your life, think about the form of your communications and how they’re being interpreted.

Native Americans used Flicker feathers as part of prayer sticks for war and as a hair decoration that indicated a healer. This dichotomy is purposeful. Harm and healing often come from the same source. The bird has associations with the element of fire and the characteristics of being a good friend, good listener and generally being a happy person, so when one appears don’t let your hope “flicker” out!

Originally Posted by Crystal Ambassador

A couple months ago, I had a pair or two of northern flickers that frequented my house. After a while they left, though I was fortunate enough to be given some feathers. During that time I started looking into their meaning to see if I could get an idea of what they were trying to convey, and what stood out to me was a Native story (I don't know what tribe) about a Flicker and a Sugar Maple. The site won't let me copy-paste, so here's the link: Flicker and Sugar Maple


The message I got from that was about a mutual relationship, and the possibility that what appears to be selfish taking - such as picking flowers or woodpeckers drilling into trees - can actually be the source giving freely to the receiver.

Also from Building Beautiful Souls is this possible meaning;