The correct term for these birds is "intergrade" rather than "hybrid"
because "Yellow-shafted" and "Red-shafted" are subspecies of Northern
Flicker. That aside, the variations seen in Northern Flicker plumage caused
by intergradation are fascinating.

Dennis Rockwell Kennewick, WA denrockwell at surfbest.net

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bruce Whittington" <fieldnat at pacificcoast.net>
To: <Tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2003 3:35 PM
Subject: Re: Orange/Yellow Flickers


> Hi all -
> No shortage of hybrid flickers, that's for sure. I have seen many
> variations, but one of the most intriguing was a bird with one red
> moustache and the other black - which shows there is always something
> to look for, even in a species which is routinely encountered.
> Cheers
> Bruce Whittington
> Victoria, BC
> mailto: fieldnat at pacificcoast.net
>