N.VA brown/black bird with long beak (1 Viewer)

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serena_b

New member

• Jan 11, 2009

• #1

There is a bird in my yard that I haven't seen before and I can't find it on the internet. It has a creamy light brown breast with outlines on the feathers. On the back the feathers are brown with heavy black outlines , making it look almost black. The tail is black, There is a red spot on the back of the head and a black dot on the cheek. It has a very round body, similar to a mourning dove, but is about 2/3 the size. The beak is black and very long and slim. It's hopping around on the grass eating. Anyone have any idea what it is? We live in a wooded area that's fairly rural.

Thanks, Serena

 

loopybunny

novice birder

• Jan 11, 2009

• #2

Kind of sounds like a woodpecker given the colors and markings, but I'd have no idea which one.

 

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etudiant

Registered User

Supporter

• Jan 11, 2009

• #3

Maybe a flicker?

 

dacol

Well-known member

• Jan 11, 2009

• #4

It is probably a Northern Flicker, check this (and other photos) here in Birdforum:

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=190443

Dalcio

 

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serena_b

New member

• Jan 11, 2009

• #5

I thought it reminded me of a woodpecker, but knew it was not a pilated (we get them sometimes, too). I looked up a picture of a flicker, and I think that's it. Ours looks rounder, but that may be a seasonal thing. I was surprised to see it eating from the ground rather than one of the dead trees. Thanks.

 

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serena_b

New member

• Jan 11, 2009

• #6

Thanks for the picture. It is definitely the Northern Flicker.

 

catmadden

SquirrelFreak

• Jan 11, 2009

• #7

I see Flickers eating on the ground all the time here in California...