Northern Flicker intergrades

Northern Flicker intergrade ('Yellow-shafted Flicker' x 'Red-shafted Flicker'), Vancouver, Clark County (Washington, USA), 29th June 2012 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 1269)

Most authorities do not treat the 'Red-shafted' and 'Yellow-shafted' forms of Northern Flicker as different species currently and where the two forms overlap intermediate birds are common.  Steve estimates that in Colorado's eastern plains intergrades make up 25-50% of Flickers.

Steve tells us that although it's not obvious from these photos, the wing and tail shafts in flight were not the same salmon red that typical Red-shafter Flickers possess.
 

Northern Flicker intergrade ('Yellow-shafted Flicker' x 'Red-shafted Flicker', same bird as in photo ID 1269 above), Vancouver, Clark County (Washington, USA), 29th June 2012 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 1270)

Northern Flicker intergrade ('Yellow-shafted Flicker' x 'Red-shafted Flicker'), Jackson State Park, Morgan County (Colorado, USA), 6th November 2013 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo IDs: 1142-1143)

The next bird looked far more like a Yellow-shafted Flicker than Red-shafted.  Steve notes that the black moustachial is typical of Yellow-shafted Flicker but he points out that there is a bit of red at the base of one rectrix. He also notes the extent of grey extending on to the face and that the red nape mark was exceptionally weak.

Northern Flicker intergrade ('Yellow-shafted Flicker' x 'Red-shafted Flicker'), Sterling, Logan County (Colorado, USA), 22nd September 2012 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 1250)

For the next bird Steve writes:

"Note the admixture of black and red in the moustachial stripe of this bird, which combines characters of both Red-shafted and Yellow-shafted Flickers.  Additionally, the extent of flesh color on face is more limited than is typical for Yellow-shafted Flicker.  The red nape crescent, of course, is a Yellow-shafted Flicker trait."

Northern Flicker intergrade ('Yellow-shafted Flicker' x 'Red-shafted Flicker'), Yuma (Colorado, USA), 3rd October 2011 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo IDs: 1385-1386)

Unlike the other intergrade photographed at same location on same day (photo IDs 1385-1386 above), Steve points out that the next bird has a "pure red moustachial and a nice gray face, like a 'pure' Red-shafted Flicker."  But he also points out that this one has a small red arc on the nape (like Yellow-shafted) and a small bit of yellow on the wing can be seen, where a Red-shafted should show red or pink.  In the first photo you can just see the yellow base to the tail feathers inconsistent with 'pure' Red-shafted Flicker).

Northern Flicker intergrade ('Yellow-shafted Flicker' x 'Red-shafted Flicker'), Yuma (Colorado, USA), 3rd October 2011 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo IDs: 1383-1384)

Cathy tells us that the next bird, a female, looked almost like a pure Red-shafted, but this view of the tail reveals its intergrade nature.

Northern Flicker intergrade ('Yellow-shafted Flicker' x 'Red-shafted Flicker'), location not given (probably Colorado, USA), 16th May 2013 - copyright Cathy Sheeter

(photo ID: 1857)

For the next bird Steve notes that it has a Yellow-shafted like peach face but that the whisker has black and red feathers and the nape crescent (not visible in the photo) was weak.

Northern Flicker intergrade ('Yellow-shafted Flicker' x 'Red-shafted Flicker', rear bird), Port Susan Bay, Snohomish County (Washington, USA), September 2007 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 1448)

On the next one the face and yellow shafts seems perfect for Yellow-shafted Flicker but there is no red nape crescent.

Northern Flicker intergrade ('Yellow-shafted Flicker' x 'Red-shafted Flicker'), Port Susan Bay, Snohomish County (Washington, USA), December 2009 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 1449)

Here's another one very like Yellow-shafted Flicker, but Steve notes some grey intruding into the face.  Although not visible in the phot it also lacked the nape crescent of Yellow-shafted Flicker.

Northern Flicker intergrade ('Yellow-shafted Flicker' x 'Red-shafted Flicker'), Chehalis, Lewis County (Washington, USA), January 2011 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 1450)

The next one has too much peach in the face for a pure Red-shafted and Steve also notes the red on the nape.

Northern Flicker intergrade ('Yellow-shafted Flicker' x 'Red-shafted Flicker'), Skagit County (Washington, USA), December 2008 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 1451)

This bird really looked very much like a Red-shafted Flicker except for the yellow shafts.  Steve tells us that in July it was found with another intergrade as its mate and 3 young.  One of the young looked much like a Yellow-shafted Flicker and had red on the nape even though both parents lacked that.

Northern Flicker intergrade ('Yellow-shafted Flicker' x 'Red-shafted Flicker'), Glenmere Park, Greeley, Weld County (Colorado, USA), June 2014 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo IDs: 1644-1645)

The next one had a face very like Yellow-shafted Flicker but Steve tells us it had red 'shafts' and lacked red on the nape.

Northern Flicker intergrade ('Yellow-shafted Flicker' x 'Red-shafted Flicker'), Crow Valley, Weld County (Colorado, USA), 11th May 2015 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 2250)

For the next one Steve writes:

"The shafts are pure red-shafted, and the malar is nice and red, but the face is pinkish, the crown gray... and it had a red crescent behind.  A nice intergrade, and good evidence that IDs can not be based purely on red vs. yellow."

Northern Flicker intergrade ('Yellow-shafted Flicker' x 'Red-shafted Flicker'), Crow Valley, Weld County (Colorado, USA), 7th October 2015 - copyright Steve Mlodinow

(photo ID: 2294)

Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus
Yellow-shafted Flicker' Colaptes auratus luteus
Red-shafted Flicker' Colaptes auratus cafer