Picking up our handy copy of Birds of Detroit, it is indeed a Northern Flicker. This one is a female, indicated by the lack of a black "mustache" stripe at the base of the beak on either side. The book also says they are fairly common throughout most of the year, but we are in their peak period for sightings and the beginning of their nesting period. Unlike most other woodpeckers they spend most of their time feeding on the ground, only clinging to trees and drumming near their nests.
She is pretty. I figured she couldn't be too rare--Livonia isn't exactly a sanctuary for rare birds--but I've never seen one before. After I snapped a few pictures of her, she flew into one of the evergreens in the front yard. I wouldn't mind a bit if she decided to stick around for the summer--partly because she's easy on the eyes, and partly because according to TEH INTERNETS, Northern Flickers like to eat ants.
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Looks like a Northern Flicker, a kind of woodpecker.
Attractive feller, ain't he?
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She is a very lovely bird.
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