Am I correct on this ID ? (1 Viewer)

Richard L

Richard L.

• Dec 16, 2005

• #1

I finally got a shot of this small woodpecker today, I live near San Antonio, Texas and my bird book say's its a "Red Cockaded" woodpecker.... BUT my photo in my bird book shows a marking of all white on its cheek with a black cap and stripped back.

My photo taken today (below) shows white on its cheek but also a white above its eye. Is this a Red Cockaded ?? Thanks from Richard L.

 

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jedku

Marc

• Dec 16, 2005

• #2

The face is wrong for a Red-cockaded. See the black line through the eye which connects on the cheek to the line from the bill?

I think it is a Ladder-backed Woodpecker.
Marc

 

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Dave B Smith

Well-known member

• Dec 16, 2005

• #3

I would also consider a juvenile Downy Woodpecker. What appears to be a red patch on the forehead right over the bill says juv Downy, The Ladder-back has red patch higher on crown in all ages.

 

jedku

Marc

• Dec 16, 2005

• #4

You were right to be skeptical based on the cheek not having a large white patch. Also, note the dingy pink-buff wash on the breast? That is typical of Ladder-backs, but not of most other Picoides woodpeckers.
What guide-book told you to expect R-C Woodpeckers in San Antonio? According to Sibley, they only extend into a very small part of East Texas.
Marc

 

Larry Lade

Moderator

• Dec 16, 2005

• #5

I believe this is an adult female Ladderback Woodpecker. Note the facial pattern, the buffy forehead, the slightly yellowish underparts (with spots). Downies would not have spots on the breast/belly and would be white in that area, not yellowish.

 

jedku

Marc

• Dec 16, 2005

• #6

Dave,
consider also the barring on the back, which is just visible. I don't think Downys have that at any age. Also, the cheek pattern isn't right for Downy, IMO.
I agree the hint of red against black just above the bill is odd....
Marc

 

Richard L

Richard L.

• Dec 16, 2005

• #7

Hello Jedku, this is Richard L. of San Antonio. I am using the "Peterson Field Guide" book of BIRDS in TEXAS...... the latterback has white on the top of his head, this woodpecker has a black cap.... Also the white over the eyes........ we do have ladderbacks in the backyard but this one seems to be a little different. I could be wrong on my ID of a "Red Cockaded" woodpecker. Thanks from Richard L.

 

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Dave B Smith

Well-known member

• Dec 16, 2005

• #8

I agree that it is probably a Ladder-back primarily on the bars that can be seen on the back (which I missed first go round). I wouldn't rule out Juv Downy based on the spots on the flanks though, see Sibley page 312. Also agree cheek pattern isn't just right for Downy, but I expect variability as well as angle of head could give misleading results here. My biggest reason for thinking not Ladder-back was what appears dark red on low forecrown - some have said this appears buffy - maybe just a monitor problem.

 

D

Dave B Smith

Well-known member

• Dec 16, 2005

• #9

Richard,
Ladder-backed females do have black crowns, males have red crowns. There is sometimes a fair amount of variability in individual birds and this could lead to one not looking "just like" the others. Do you have any other photos of this bird?

 

jedku

Marc

• Dec 16, 2005

• #10

Hello, Richard.
Interesting discussion. Thanks for posting this picture.
I still think this is a Ladder-back for all the reasons mentioned above. I am not sure I agree that Ladder-backs have white on top of the head. I have not seen it so in the birds I have seen or in my field guides. Do you mean that there is usually a buffy color just above the bill? That I agree with. But, everything in this bird points to Ladder-backed. I am sure that it is not a red-cockaded, which are rare and local birds here in the Southeast.
Do you have a picture of what is a more normal Ladder-backed that you mentioned seing many of? Would be happy to see it if you can post.
Thanks,
Marc

 

Richard L

Richard L.

• Dec 16, 2005

• #11

back view

Here is a back view of the same bird, taken today. Richard L.

Dave B Smith said:

I agree that it is probably a Ladder-back primarily on the bars that can be seen on the back (which I missed first go round). I wouldn't rule out Juv Downy based on the spots on the flanks though, see Sibley page 312. Also agree cheek pattern isn't just right for Downy, but I expect variability as well as angle of head could give misleading results here. My biggest reason for thinking not Ladder-back was what appears dark red on low forecrown - some have said this appears buffy - maybe just a monitor problem.

Click to expand...

 

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jedku

Marc

• Dec 16, 2005

• #12

Thanks for the picture, Richard. Almost makes one feel like he is birding Texas! Ladder-backed Woodpecker, I would say and move on to the next bird.
Do you have any other field guides? One of the more complete standard guides would help you with these identifications, I think. Something with good range maps & thorough illustrations. Sibley? Kaufman? National Geographic? Any of these would be a good addition to Peterson's Birds of Texas, IMO.
Greetings from North Florida,
Marc

 

Steve Gross

Well-known member

• Dec 16, 2005

• #13

Richard:

If you'd like a look at the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, just head over my direction. I'll be happy to take you to Jones State Forest, north of Houston, where the Red-cockaded breed.

The white cheek patch on the Red-cockaded is quite striking, not so much a stretch as with the Ladder-backed.

Steve in Houston