Date: 12/6/25 3:15 pm From: Ron W <ourwildplaces...> Subject: [cobirds] Re: Unknown Woodpecker, Montrose Colorado, Dec 04 25
No one in Flicker Camp has shown me an example image of the species with a
uniform dark back from tail to head. You lightened the photo and it still
doesn't look like one. The bird was smaller than a Northern Flicker, and
black. the head still looks black even with you lightening it.
Furthermore, the underside of the bird is dusty white. The image you
linked to is a male Black-backed, which has distinctive barring yes, but
the female's can be nearly absent from this angle and there are images
showing this.
If this is so easily a Northern Flicker then we would have seen a link to
one, similarly in full sun, from behind, looking just like this bird. Show
me that bird and I'll consider changing my mind.
Ron
On Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 3:49:40 PM UTC-7 Tony Leukering wrote:
> All:
>
> 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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