Alabama State Bird: Yellowhammer
Fact-checked • Updated November 23, 2025
Alabama State Bird – Yellowhammer
Alabama is the only state with a woodpecker as its official bird. In 1927, the legislature selected the Yellowhammer, also called the Northern Flicker. Cavalry units from Huntsville wore gray uniforms with yellow trim during the Civil War. Veterans noted the color match with the bird’s plumage. The nickname moved through military groups and stayed in common use.
Why Alabama Chose the Yellowhammer as the State Bird
Alabama chose the Yellowhammer as its state bird in September 1927. Representative Thomas E. Martin introduced the bill. Governor Bibb Graves signed the legislation the same day. The scientific name is Colaptes auratus.
Alabama is the only state with a woodpecker as its state bird. The bird's official name is Northern Flicker. Residents call it Yellowhammer for its bright yellow underwings.
The choice ties directly to Alabama's Civil War history. Around 1862, a cavalry company from Huntsville joined Confederate troops in Kentucky. Their new gray uniforms had yellow trim on cuffs and collars. Veterans said the uniforms resembled the bird's colors. The nickname spread through Alabama troops.
After the war, Alabama became the Yellowhammer State. Confederate veterans wore yellowhammer feathers in their hats at reunions. The bird became the natural choice for Alabama's state symbol.
History of Adoption: Legislation & Timeline
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1862 — Civil War Nickname Origin
Cavalry soldiers from Huntsville met other Confederate troops in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Their gray uniforms had bright yellow trim. Veterans began calling them the Yellowhammer Company.
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1865–1927 — Symbol Takes Root
Alabama embraced the nickname Yellowhammer State after the war. Confederate veterans wore yellowhammer feathers at reunions. The bird became a familiar symbol across the state.
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1927 — Legislative Proposal
Representative Thomas E. Martin introduced a bill to recognize the Yellowhammer. He cited Alabama's distinctive Civil War heritage.
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September 6, 1927 — Governor Signs Bill
Governor Bibb Graves signed the legislation on September 6, 1927. This officially named the Yellowhammer as Alabama's state bird.
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Current Law
Alabama law designates the Yellowhammer as the official state bird. The legislation has remained in effect since 1927.
Symbolism & Cultural Meaning
Civil War Heritage
The Yellowhammer connects to Alabama's Civil War story. Its gray and yellow colors resembled the trim worn by Alabama cavalry. This keeps that history visible to later generations.
State Pride and Identity
Alabama uses the Yellowhammer name with pride. Businesses, schools, media outlets, and sports teams across the state reference the bird.
Symbol of Resilience
The Yellowhammer lives year-round in Alabama. It adapts to cities, suburbs, and rural areas. Its resilience reflects the character of Alabama communities.
Unique State Symbol
Alabama is the only state with a woodpecker as its state bird. The Yellowhammer is instantly recognizable as an Alabama symbol.
Physical Characteristics
Male Yellowhammers
Males have gray-brown backs with black bars. A red patch marks the back of the neck. Males display a black mustache marking. Bright yellow feathers show under the wings and tail.
Female Yellowhammers
Females look similar but lack the black mustache. They share the same yellow underwings, red nape patch, and gray-brown body.
Size and Build
Yellowhammers measure 11 to 14 inches long. Their wingspan reaches 17 to 21 inches. They weigh 3 to 6 ounces. A white rump patch is visible during flight.
Behavior & Habits
Drumming and Calls
Yellowhammers drum on trees and metal surfaces. They make a loud wick-wick-wick call. In spring, males drum on gutters to attract mates. The metal surface amplifies the sound.
Ground Feeding Habits
Yellowhammers spend much time on the ground searching for ants. Ants make up about half of their diet. This habit is unusual for woodpeckers.
Diet
Their diet includes ants, beetles, caterpillars, berries, fruit, and seeds. They use a long barbed tongue to capture insects. They also eat poison ivy berries.
Nesting Behavior
Males select nest sites in dead trees, poles, or stumps. Both parents excavate the cavity. Females lay 3 to 12 eggs on wood chips. They excavate new nest holes each year.
Habitat & Conservation in Alabama
Where to Find Yellowhammers in Alabama
Yellowhammers live throughout Alabama year-round. They prefer open woodlands, parks, neighborhoods, and farmlands. Dead trees provide essential nesting sites.
Seasonal Patterns
Alabama maintains a resident population all year. In winter, northern flickers migrate into the state.
Conservation Status
The species is listed as Least Concern. Populations in Alabama are stable. Eastern populations show gradual declines linked to pesticides and habitat loss.
How to Help Yellowhammers in Alabama
- Leave dead trees standing when safe
- Reduce pesticide use on lawns
- Provide suet feeders with seeds
- Install nest boxes suited for flickers
- Plant native berry-producing shrubs
Interesting Facts About Alabama's Yellowhammer
Fact 1 of 12
Alabama is the only state with a woodpecker as its state bird
Yellowhammer Songs & Calls
Hear the clear whistles and sharp calls of the Yellowhammer. These field recordings capture their distinctive voice in natural habitat.
Audio licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. All information has been fact-checked and verified against official government records and scientific databases.
Scholarly resource on Alabama history, culture, and natural history including detailed species information. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Comprehensive encyclopedic article about the Northern Flicker. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Authoritative bird guide with species identification, behavior, habitat, and range information. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Official codified law designating the Yellowhammer as the Alabama state bird. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
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