Winters from southern Canada south through the remainder of the breeding range. Rare to uncommon summer visitant throughout the remainder of the province. The Northern Flicker is widely distributed in British Columbia. Throughout its nonbreeding range it frequents a variety of open forest types as well as farmland, pastureland, and other open habitats including rural and urban residential areas. In the latter areas, it can often be found feeding on cultivated fruits and at feeders.
Migration periods are difficult to discern in areas where birds are resident.
May. Birds arrive on their breeding areas in early March in southern areas, and in the latter half of May in the north. In some areas, small loose flocks of more than 10 birds have been reported. During autumn, some of the northern populations move from their breeding areas to southern interior valleys and the coast. The Northern Flicker is a widespread breeder throughout most of British Columbia. Breeding habitats include virtually all forested zones in the province from near sea level to 2,100 m.