Subject: "yellow-shafted" flicker at Ballard Locks
Date: Oct 11 11:49:31 1999
From: Darryl Thompson - birds at cmc.net


Linda and Tweetsters: The frequency of these beauties in the
Lynnwood-Edmonds is pretty common depending on the time of year. They seem
to be most common in the fall and throughout the winter into early spring.
The appearance of one usually signals the appearance of others; we often
have more females than males, but always have at least one dominant male.
The markings on the head are distinctive
and very often dissimiliar from any field guides.

For example: In the last five years the following characteristics have been
observed: Full red crescent on the nape; partial red crescent; no red crescent.
Black moustache; black with red spots moustache, salmon colored moustache,
but yellow-shafted. Obviously, many of these are hybrids, but what wonderful
colorations and varieties. The yellow-shafted males are extremely sensitive
to movement, even more so than most flickers, which are most often skiddish
as a group. Have no idea why and cannot find info. to address that observation.

Only twice in thirteen years have yellow-shafted nested around or on my
property to my knowledge. One of the two times a female yellow mated with a
light salmon colored hybrid male (with crescent) and fledged three. The
other time it was yellow on yellow and fledged at least two, could have been
more. Have not seen them this fall yet, however, but I would be surprised if
they didn't show up soon.

There are many reports in Edmonds and Lynnwood throughout the winter at the
Wild Birds Unlimited stores in Edmonds and Everett. Some even claim to have
seen the flicker with the tan or brownish cap; Guilded. I have not. I do
know that the Yellow Shafted are very fond of cherry mixed in with their
suet blends, as they will consume those cakes before going on to other mixes.

Darryl Thompson
Edmonds
<birds at cmc.net>








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>From: "L. Wakeman" <l4502 at juno.com>
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>Subject: "yellow-shafted" flicker at Ballard Locks
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>Hi Tweets,
>
>While doing a weekly bird survey at Seattle's Ballard Locks this morning
>I saw two YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKERS (a male and female) along with one male
>RED-SHAFTED FLICKER. The male yellow-shafted had a red crescent on the
>nape of his neck and a black moustache. The female had no moustache or
>crescent but her wings had a yellowish underside when she flew. Does
>anyone know how common this subspecies is in western Washington? This
>threesome was seen twice just west of Pescatore restaurant on the north
>side of the channel.
>
>Linda Wakeman
>Seattle
>mailto:L4502 at juno.com
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W.Darryl Thompson