Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Northern Flicker

Colaptes auralus


This handsome fellow appears to be a Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker.  I can't tell from his flight feathers, but the other distinguishing marks would confirm this.  He has a tan face, gray crown, black moustachial stripe and a red nape crescent.

Red-shafted Northern Flickers have a gray face, brown crown and no nape crescent.  The males also have a red moustachial stripe.