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What is this bird?

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  • October 7, 2018 at 2:45 pm #930118

    Sunuva
    Participant

    I see this bird about 2-3 times a year. It is either extremely secretive or transient. Super skiddish, doesn’t like it’s picture taken. What is it? (Arbor Heights area)

    strange bird

    Just curious because this bird is so fleeting in its appearances and near impossible to get a picture of.

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    October 7, 2018 at 9:45 pm #930133

    seaopgal
    Participant

    It looks like a Northern Flicker, a type of woodpecker. They nest in holes in trees and telephone poles, and have a loud piercing cry. https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/northern-flicker

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    October 7, 2018 at 9:45 pm #930119

    935
    Participant

    Northern Flicker
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_flicker

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    October 8, 2018 at 7:50 am #930169

    Sunuva
    Participant

    Thanks all! That’s exactly it. Glad to finally know what this bird is after years of not knowing.

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    October 8, 2018 at 9:19 am #930172

    newnative
    Participant

    Sunuva, that is funny to note his secretive nature. I heard his call a gazillion times but could never see him. Once I stopped on a walk and stared a tree for a long time before finally seeing him. How frustrating to see the beautiful close up photos here in the WSB when I can barely get a glimpse.

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    October 8, 2018 at 4:35 pm #930231

    mark47n
    Participant

    I had one in my living room. It came in through the chimney.

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    October 9, 2018 at 4:04 pm #930338

    Sunuva
    Participant

    LOL, mark47n! Wish I could get a closer view, but wouldn’t want one that close!

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    October 11, 2018 at 9:39 am #930298

    anonyme
    Participant

    I’m scratching my head at this secretive/transient stuff. I see and hear flickers all the time, including in my yard and at my bird feeder. Never had one come down the chimney, though. Maybe it was a North Pole Flicker…(groan)

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    October 11, 2018 at 5:24 pm #930515

    Sunuva
    Participant

    Anonyme, now that I know what their call sounds like, I hear it throughout the day. They just rarely seem to show themselves out in the open.

    It may also be because of other birds around our yard or our dog that keeps them away. We do have some very territorial crows that nest in one of our trees. That said, I don’t recall ever seeing them anywhere else like the local parks either. Maybe it’s me?

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    October 12, 2018 at 6:35 am #930581

    anonyme
    Participant

    I’m sure it’s nothing personal. Woodpeckers in general are less tolerant of humans than birds that are somewhat dependent on them, like crows. Just be glad they aren’t drilling holes through your siding! They are very beautiful, though. Ubiquitous in Arbor Heights. Put out some suet this winter and you may see more of them.

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