A northen flicker... but not? (1 Viewer)

[gberg67]

I startled a pair of birds in the park by my house in the Bronx, north of Manhattan in New York city. They were foraging in the leaves, and took off to high branches when I approached. They had the telltale dark chest patch (and the behavior) of northern flickers. But they were a dull gray and had none of the chest spots or bars on the back that are typical of northern flickers. I have read that juvenile northern flickers are much duller in color than adults, but I haven't been able to find any photographs of juvenile northern flickers to confirm if they're what I saw. Does anyone have any juvenile northern flicker photos, or have any idea what else these birds might be?

 

[KC Foggin]

Hello gberg and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum :t:

Well, I just checked 3 of my guides and not one shows a juvenile No. Flicker so not sure what you have there.

 

[avan]

We have some video tape of juvenile northen flicker at different stage and they look like the adult. But I'm my Peterson book they said they'r some hybrid and variation.