Bird Id Please!

17 years ago

Thanks to a fellow member here, who shall remain nameless but who's initials are "MARCIA", I have become more and more aware of the feathered friends who share their environment with me. I have even got pretty good at identifying them but have now come across one that has me stumped. It is a good sized bird, somewhat bigger that a blue jay, with a beak reminiscent of a woodpecker's. It is basically brown with lots on spots on its wings and breast. It also has a large black patch on it's chest and a perfect red "Y" on the back of it's head. I haven't noticed him in any trees but on the ground boring holes with his long pointed beak. I am sorry I don't have any photos to share but I am yet to be able to get a camera that is capable of taking decent bird pictures. Any help with an ID will be appreciated!

nova

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Comments (7)

countrynest
17 years ago
Nova,pileated woodpecker?
Do a search for a picture.
I hope that helps.
Felix
nova_gw
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the suggestion Felix but I have plenty of pileated woodpeckers here and recognize them right off. The bird I am seeing is smaller than the pileated woodpecker.

nova
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bodiggly
17 years ago
Could it be a Northern Flicker?
nova_gw
Original Author
17 years ago
bodiggly-I believe we have a winner! I have checked out various pictures of the Northern Flicker and have come to the conclusion that the bird I am seeing is indeed a Northern Flicker. Thank you for your help!

nova
manature
17 years ago
Good for Bodiggly...definitely a flicker, Nova. Aren't they cool? Flickers are Florida's only brown woodpecker, and are often seen foraging on the ground, and indulging in a behavior called "anting." (They will pick up ants and rub them over their feathers. Some think it has to do with the formic acid ants release when they bite. Me, I just think it's funny to watch.)

I tried to find the link to my post identifying each of Florida's woodpeckers, but apparently that is no longer in the archives. Here is a picture of the Northern Flicker (formerly known as the Yellow-shafted Flicker).

And thanks for only disclosing my initials, Nova! I wouldn't want anyone to figure out who the crazy bird lady around here is! Hehehe.

So glad you are enjoying watching all the birds around your home. You have a perfect spot to indulge in this pasttime, and it is so rewarding. Once you start to notice them, it feels like you've been walking around with blinders on for years, doesn't it?

Marcia
nova_gw
Original Author
17 years ago
I looked for your Florida woodpecker post before posting but couldn't find it either, Marcia. I had a feeling it was a type of woodpecker due to his beak but the "Northern" part of it's name kept throwing me off.

You are so right when you say -"it feels like you've been walking around with blinders on"! As my list of identified birds grows I realize that they have been here the whole time I just couldn't see them. I remember the first time I met you in person and you stood in my yard pointing out birds and I couldn't see anything but trees! Now I still see the trees but can pick out the birds. If that makes me another "crazy bird lady" so be it! It is fun and I thank you for removing my blinders!

nova
manature
17 years ago
I remember that day, too, Nova. Your yard was full of "THREEPS" as the great-crested flycatchers were very active. They are a bird I enjoy very much, and I was loving all the calling going on.

I'm so glad you are enjoying birds now. It would be a shame to live in such a bird-rich habitat and miss out on all the lovely ones visiting your yard regularly.

I'll be a Birding Enabler for you, anyday! You go, girl! Crazy Bird Ladies, UNITE!

Marcia