The bird in question is certainly a Northern Flicker and, perhaps,
identifiable as a Red-shafted Flicker. I lightened a screen grab of one of
the photos and, with no other alterations, present it below. The upperparts
are brownish, the nape and crown are noticeably grayer, the sides are white
with dark spotting, and the whitish rump contrasts strongly with the dark
tail.
[image: NOFL-not-BBWO.jpg]
As can be seen on the bird here
<https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/326303601>, Black-backed Woodpeckers
entirely lack white on the upper side of the body (excluding tail), so that
white rump rules that species out. Additionally, the extensively white side
to the bird is not a feature of Black-backed, which has the sides so
heavily barred (see here <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/615176281>)
that in relatively poor views (such as on your bird), the birds look
dark-sided (see here <https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/646203877>).
In my extensive birding experience in Michigan, New York, California, and
Montana, I've seen many, many Black-backed Woodpeckers, so I immediately
recognized the subject of the checklist's photos as not a Black-backed.
I've also seen 10s of 1000s of Northern Flickers, and your bird struck me
immediately as one.
You're welcome to reject my advice (as you have that of others), as it's no
skin off my back.
Sincerely,
Tony Leukering
Denver
On Friday, December 5, 2025 at 10:53:03 AM UTC-7 Ron W wrote:
> Hello all, as my field report states :
>
> Roughly 9" with a short tail. In full sunlight, the bird shows no markings
> on its all dark back. Similarly the head is also all dark, with a possible
> dark red semicircle below the eye. I observed this bird from roughly 15'
> for around 2 minutes (equipped with only a cell phone). In that time
> woodpecker made no vocalizations."
>
> 4 photos are included with the report.
>
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S287390731 >
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