6 replies to this topic

[JoeInMalta]

I live in Malta, NY, i mile west of I-87 exit 11. I have a wooded back yard where I have several bird feeders set up. I first saw this bird on one of my feeders with a bird seed mix. What I noticed was that it was brown (darkish) with a black patch on its chest and was about the size of a Bluejay.

 Today it came back at about 4 PM and landed on the trunk of a large Maple tree. It moved around the tree like a woodpecker then landed on the ground. It proceeded to peck at the ground (woodpecker fashion) feeding on something. I assumed it was grubs. It was digging deep enough so that its head nearly disappeared into the holes.I have a nearby ant hill which would have been easy pickings. This time I could see the red markings on its neck. There were no red markings on its throat. Its back and underside were solid colored as near as I could see. It flue off but I didn't see any white or other color.

When  I inspected the holes it dug, they were about 1-1/4 inch in diameter and depth.

 

[IndianaBirdLover]

Sounds a lot like the northern flickers I've had around here -- they love to eat the ants in our yard. 

 Here's a couple of pictures of the one we had -- note that this is a yellow-shafted northern flicker, which is found in the east of the country, whereas the red-shafted northern flicker is primarily found in the west.  Do these look like your bird?

 

[JoeInMalta]

It does, but I didn't see it from behind except when it dipped its head to feed. And I didn't notice the spotted underside. The breast patch is the first feature I saw. I'm sure it'll come back. Maybe I'll get a picture!

[JoeInMalta]

Does anyone have juvenile pictures of the Northern Flicker?

[JoeInMalta]

I found this video. It's what I saw. Thanks all..

[JoeInMalta]

Video link - sorry 

 

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6032095779626983737

[IndianaBirdLover]

Yep -- the bird in the video appears to be a juvenile male yellow-shafted northern flicker.