I don't think it's a dirty (or sooty) flicker. If that were the case, I'd expect the red cheek patch and the red/orange tail feathers to be dark, too. I think it's a melanistic bird. Google melanistic flicker. There are a few pics out there.

Kelly Cassidy
Pullman, WA

> On Jan 8, 2015, at 4:29 PM, Joan Miller <jemskink at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Tweets,
>
> This incredibly dark Red-Shafted Flicker visited my suet today. I saw it the other day but wasn't able to photograph it then. Luckily today I happened to look out and see it today!
>
> What the heck is going on? Has anyone ever seen such a dark Flicker? It looks like it took a bath in an oil spill. Only by the shape, size, tail, and tell-tale red moustache could I tell it was a Flicker.
>
> I've posted photos: I hope you can them.I'm new to Flickr!
>
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/103959334 at N02/sets/72157649786583628/
>
> Joan Miller
> West Seattle
> jemskink at g mail dot com
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