Date: 4/6/25 11:49 am From: Chris Ortega via groups.io <chrisorte9a...> Subject: Re: [southbaybirds] Possible Nuttall’s x Ladder-backed Hybrid Pair Nesting in San Jose
Hi Greg,
I appreciate the close attention to detail and open mind, but I don't see
much in these photos to support the hybrid ID in either bird. The yellow
wash is likely due to staining from tannins in the wood they have been
excavating. The other marks don't strike me as being outside the range of
normal variation for Nuttall's Woodpeckers. The one thing I found somewhat
interesting is the incomplete top "rung" or back bar, but even that looks
much too low to rise to the level expected on Ladder-backed or hybrid,
since pure Ladder-backs have no discernable solid black patch on the nape
like these and other Nuttall's have.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker and their hybrids aren't just rare in Santa Clara
County - they are completely unprecedented anywhere in the Bay Area,
Northern California, or even the southern parts of the Central Valley. They
are also not very prone to wander, so despite their native range being only
a few hundred miles away, they are considerably less likely to appear here
than would be several previously unrecorded Eurasian species.
That being said, unprecedented events are part of what makes birding so
exciting, so keep expecting the unexpected! Just also recognize minor
variations or environmental factors affecting the appearance of common
species are much more common than Mega rarities.
Good birding,
Chris Ortega
Bay Point
On Sun, Apr 6, 2025, 11:21 AM Greg Russo via groups.io <gregorythomasrusso=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> I wanted to share a sighting from this morning (April 6, around 10:30 AM)
> that might be of interest to folks who enjoy woodpecker puzzles. I have not
> been home yet to double check field guides, but it was interesting enough
> that I thought I would throw it out to the group.
>
>
> While birding at the Santa Clara valley water District(coordinates: 37°14′51″
> N, 121°52′16″ W), I observed what appears to be a pair of Nuttall’s x
> Ladder-backed Woodpecker hybrids actively nesting.
>
>
> The female showed a striking yellow wash across the lores, forehead, and
> throat—definitely unusual for Nuttall’s and not something you’d expect on a
> pure Ladder-backed either. The male had a full red crown (adult) and a fainter
> yellow wash around the base of the bill. Both birds showed a mix of field
> marks: cleanly barred backs, lightly spotted flanks, and bold facial
> patterns—traits falling between the two species.
>
>
> Based on photos and behavior (they were attending a cavity), this looks
> like an active nesting pair. I know Ladder-backed is quite rare in the
> county, and while hybrids aren’t unheard of, it seems like a notable
> pair—especially with both birds showing signs of mixed ancestry.
>
>
> Photos are available if folks want to take a look. Just thought I’d put
> this out there in case anyone nearby wants to check it out.
>
>
> -Greg Russo
>
> [image: image0.jpeg][image: image1.jpeg][image: image2.jpeg][image:
> image3.jpeg][image: image4.jpeg][image: image5.jpeg][image: image6.jpeg][image:
> image7.jpeg]
>
>
>
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
