Sunday, July 1, 2012

Three-toed Woodpecker

I photographed this American Three-toed Woodpecker in our campground this afternoon. I was confused when I first saw it as it has a yellow crown like a Black-backed Woodpecker, but the center of  its back is white like a Hairy Woodpecker.  I was madly taking photos, and explaining my confusion at what I was seeing to Jeanette, when she exclaimed, “it’s a Three-toed Woodpecker”.  She had remembered and was right on, and it is a new addition to my Life List. What a great omen for our first day in our new volunteer positions at Collier Memorial State Park. We will be here for the month of July and I will be leading bird walks at 7:30 in the mornings on Saturday and Sunday. 
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1 comment:

  1. AnonymousJuly 24, 2012 at 5:31 PM

    This looks like a juvenile Hairy Woodpecker to me. The juvenile Hairy *can* have a yellow crown patch (although this is uncommon). The American 3-Toed has barred flanks and a different head/neck pattern (take a look in Sibley's). I'm posting because I too just had a brief moment of excitement (OMG -- an American 3-toed Woodpecker!!!) until I got home and looked at the photos more carefully.

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