Glad to see Andy's question as I've been meaning to post a similar one myself!
When the freezing weather started in December, I put out a suet feeder (normally do not put feeders out). For many weeks now, there have been at least 2 flickers with Yellow-shafted characteristics coming on a daily basis. One is more "intergrade", having bright orange feathers in the typical areas, a small, faint red mark on the nape, and no clear moustache marks, either red or black ... just sort of brownish-gray "shadow" hint where they'd normally be. The other has very definitely yellow coloration under the wings and tail, similar mustache area, but much stronger and clearly visible red on the nape.
A week and a half ago or so, we enjoyed watching quite the romancing going on between the intergrade and a full Red-shafted which seemed to be female as there were no red moustache markings, over several days. Lots of what I call "bill dancing", "follow me, but not too close" chases around the shrubbery, and other behaviors.
So I also am curious as to how common it is to see the Yellow-shafted Flickers in the Pugetopolis area? I am in suburban south Snohomish County, near Edmonds...a regular neighborhood about a block east of the Sound.

Dee Warnock
Edmonds, WA

> Hi there. I've had a female flicker with yellow shafted feathers coming to my suet feeder in Snohomish daily and often for about two months now. I don't know how uncommon this is so I decided to post it here to get some feedback. Please let me know. I actually saw her once a year ago and noticed faint yellow feathers at first. Might have been different bird. The bird today looks just like an eastern bird if memory serves correctly. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.
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> Andy Papadatos
> Snohomish, WA