When I first arrived on Tweeters, someone sent me an email requesting that I
refrain from asking questions that could be answered from a field guide.
Fair enough! I hope this does not qualify as such a question! I had a new
visitor to my shelled peanut feeder this morning and have spent a couple of
hours with several field guides and cannot figure out an identity. I do
have several photos if anyone wants to see them.

At first glance I thought it was a Flicker. It is the size and shape of a
Flicker although perhaps a little sleeker -- meaning thinner. It is brown
backed. Chest a streaked brown -- rather like the breast of a House Finch.
There is a narrowish (??1 inch wide) strip on each flank that is black with
white spots--like the spots on a wintering Starling. I thought perhaps a
younger Flicker or Sapsucker but there is none in the field guides I have
that have those spots. Could it be a "transitioning" Starling? However,
it was not really the shape of a Starling ... more the shape of a Flicker.
And anyway, would a Starling come to a peanut feeder? It looked more like
the woodpecker family.

It did look somewhat uncomfortable at the feeder, like it was perhaps not
designed for such perching. But it has been at the feeder twice this
morning already and has munch away on the peanuts. Once, after leaving the
feeder it stood on a branch for a few seconds and opened its beak very
wide--rather like a young one wanting food to be popped into its mouth. It
did not make any sound, however. I have my digital camera ready in case it
comes again. Any ideas? Anyone who wants to see the photos let me know.

Thanks, Tweeters.

Margaret Parkinson
mailto:margparkie at home.com
University District