Woodpecker type bird, Merritt Island, FL, USA (1 Viewer)

[rjackb]

Would appreciate some ID help with this bird. Seemed to behave like a woodpecker. Think I've seen a flicker at this location before but doesn't look like one to me. Thank you.

Jack

 

[Cote0606]

Appears to be a Red-bellied Woodpecker.

 

[Nutcracker]

Ditto to Red-bellied Woodpecker - you can even see the red belly on it (which isn't often visible!)

 

[KC Foggin]

Yuppers! A Red-bellied Woodpecker

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Striking how dark it is on the upperparts, with very little white barring visible. Is this an effect of wear or is it plumage variation?

 

[Nutcracker]

Striking how dark it is on the upperparts, with very little white barring visible. Is this an effect of wear or is it plumage variation?

Southern Florida birds are darker, per Sibley field guide. Presumably clinal, as they aren't distinguished as a separate named subspecies (at least not by IOC).

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Southern Florida birds are darker, per Sibley field guide. Presumably clinal, as they aren't distinguished as a separate named subspecies (at least not by IOC).

Yes, I thought that. This bird is really dark on the upperparts though, so perhaps some wear and individual variation is also a factor.

 

[rjackb]

Thanks for the ID. I see Red-bellied Woodpeckers almost every day (they are very common around my house) but this one threw me, maybe because of the slightly different coloration as mentioned above.