4 replies to this topic

[sandiegodon]

Hi, Today while hiking in Southernmost Arizona (Carr Peak about 8000 ft altitide) My wife and I saw a small songbird about the size of a sparrow, maybe a little bigger.

It was mostly black or midnight blue with a red cap, white wing bars parallel with the body when flying white at the base of the tail, and grey/white at throat. The wing and tail bars were impossible to miss. The red cap was a little hard to see.

No apparent crest or tufts on head, straight slender pointy beak.

We only saw it land once and it landed on a vertical tree trunk similar to how a woodpecker would land. But It did not have any unusual flight characteristics like the up/down flight of a woodpecker.

I do not have any pictures. Any help or siggestions on what kind of bird it might be would be helpful.

[Sparky the Cuttlefish]

Your description reminds me of an Acorn Woodpecker - would that match up with what you saw?

[sandiegodon]

I was just about to say no, but looked again at several pictures of the Acorn Woodpecker online and you are correct. Thank you very much.

[Julie H]

I seconded Acorn Woodpecker after checking my memory, but I see you already found it,

Julie

[sandiegodon]

Thanks Julie. Is that the California Quail in your profile picture? I have the Gambel's Quail in my yard at least twice a week now that they are parading the babies to get food. One family had 13 young escorted by the two adults.