>From Cornell:
The red-shafted and yellow-shafted forms of the Northern Flicker formerly were considered different species. The two forms hybridize extensively in a wide zone from Alaska to the panhandle of Texas. A hybrid often has some traits from each of the two forms and some traits that are intermediate between them. The Red-shafted Flicker also hybridizes with the Gilded Flicker, but less frequently.

I myself have seen a Yellow with the Red Mustache here in Arlington.. it's one of those species that since mixed, you see variations.. although most prominently original species are more common.

Sammy in Arlington

> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2015 13:08:14 -0700
> From: jedunne at u.washington.edu
> To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> Subject: [Tweeters] Unusual Flicker
>
> Yesterday on my suet feeder in Bellingham, I saw a northern flicker with a prominent red patch on the back of it's neck. Sibley's identifies this as the yellow shafted sub-species from the eastern tiaga. However, when it flew, it clearly was red shafted. I have never seen this on the west side of the mountains. Has anyone else?
> John Dunne
> Bellingham, WA
>
>
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