Sorry, no photo, and I am new at this. Big bird on Seattle bike trail. I've seen in same place on two separate days. Middles of the day today and a couple days ago. Can't tell if it is mostly gray or brown, but much like a robin. The size of a large crow, and pretty much the same shape. Beak is much sharper than a crow's, and longer than the birds head. Large white patch at base of back, near tail feathers, prominently visible when bird takes flight. Tail is longer than a robin. On each occasion the bird was in the grass at the side of the trail, and was flushed as people went by, flying with a swoosh up to the lower limbs of a nearby tree. Quit noisy feather action when flying. As it sat in the tree, it looked a lot like a woodpecker, and seemed to use it's beak to peck at insects. But did not stay long in tree, and returned to same area of grass when people cleared the area. Would appreciate any ideas. I could not find it with the bird ID software on this website. Thanks.
6 replies to this topic
#2
fisherman1313
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Posted 14 June 2012 - 11:13 PM
Sounds like a Northern Flicker. A flicker is quite a bit smaller than a crow and the tail is not longer than a robin's but the coloration you describe fits.
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#3
hawkhenries
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Posted 14 June 2012 - 11:38 PM
Sounds like a flicker to me as well. Did it look like this image
http://identify.what...3990/image.aspx
http://identify.what...3990/image.aspx
#5
steveringold
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Posted 14 June 2012 - 11:59 PM
Thanks for the prompt and helpful responses. The Northern Flicker picture shared by Hawkhenry is kind of close, but the bird I saw has none of the bright coloration. It is far more drab, and certainly no red on the face. Also, I did not notice any white on the belly and legs as in the photo. I am also pretty sure the suspect is the size of a large crow. Any other possibilities, please?
#6
BarnSwallow
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Posted 15 June 2012 - 12:55 AM
Sounds exactly like a flicker. They can be very drab - greyish even. I didn't look at the photo, but I've seen many, many, many flickers, and never noticed the white on the belly. The flicker is the only bird I can think of that matches the description and has a prominent white rump patch. The flicker is a woodpecker, and it commonly feeds on the ground - often on lawns and mowed grass, eating ants.
#7
psweet
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Posted 15 June 2012 - 02:37 AM
The red on the face of a flicker is an indication of a male. So if you're seeing a female, there wouldn't be any.
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