** Bill wrote -

>
> A most unusually marked hybrid Northern Flicker has been around our Tree
> Farm for several days, feeding on the seed and cracked corn that we put
> out for our ground birds. His markings include a red nape collar, tan
> crown, and a moustache that is part black and part red. The shafts are a
> shade of orange in between the two morphs. Fascinating! We also have a
> pair of Red-shafteds that regularly visit our suet feeder. The hybrid
> seems to be by himself and has not found the suet. We have not seen a
> Yellow-shafted morph recently but did see one several years ago.


This sounds like the so-called "Smithers Flicker". The Smithers, BC area has
some of the most beautiful flicker crosses you will ever see, many of which
look like your bird.

- Jack

Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jbowling at direct.ca