Ladder-backed woodpeckers? - So. Cal. (1 Viewer)

[dant1999]

I saw these birds last winter in the Antelope Valley in an area where both Nuttall's and ladder-backed woodpeckers are known to occur. Are these both ladder-backed woodpeckers. I wasn't sure I could positively ID with enough field characteristics because of the quality of the photos (too far or partially obscured) but was wondering if the amount of red on the crown is enough (restricted to hind crown only on Nuttall's but variably extending to the eye on ladder-backed). Any thoughts?

 

[stonechat1]

#1: Male Ladder-backed Woodpecker
#2: Male Nuttall's Woodpecker
If I´m wrong sure someone will correct my ID

 

[Tiraya]

Both look like Ladder-backed to me. The face on the 2nd bird can't be Nuttall's. Nuttall's has much more bolder markings, see this: http://www.goldrushcam.com/images/2007/LG/birds/1.jpg

I need to get up there at some point, I still need Ladder-backed as a lifer.

 

[KenM]

I agree with Silverwolf..believing both to be Ladder-backed....the second image shows a ''deep'' white super and nape..greater than might be expected for Nuttall's?, also the red on the head (not helped by photo artefact) I think extends to the eye at least.

cheers

 

[gvca1]

Well, I defer to you guys because I'm just a noob, but Sibley shows the 'Solid black on upper back' for the Nuttalls?

Jim

 

[Tiraya]

Well, I defer to you guys because I'm just a noob, but Sibley shows the 'Solid black on upper back' for the Nuttalls?

Jim

I have never heard of this identification feature before, though I trust Sibley knows his stuff.

Well, if this was true then both would be Nuttall's according to your photos. Of course, in a good viewing situation that isn't so subject to lighting etc. something like this might be more reliable. If 3/4 features point towards Ladder-backed (as on your birds), then it would take more than the lack of that last feature to convince me otherwise (unless it was a super distinctive feature).

 

[chris butterworth]

Both Ladder-backed. In the first photo the extensive red on the crown, the really wide supercillium and the fact the 'face' and neck pattern are seperate from the upperparts. The second photo also shows the first 2 points plus rather narrow white bars on the upperparts reaching almost to the base of the neck ( the, wider, bars on Nuttal's stop short leaving a black 'shawl' at the top of the mantle ).

Chris