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Colaptes auratus cafer
Lots of woodpeckers had moved into this large fire damaged forest. The Red-shafted Flicker male is distinguished by his red mustache. Pic 4 he gets soot on his chin and mustache.
Spotted in a fire damaged forest.
Spotted on Oct 16, 2019
Submitted on Dec 22, 2019
9 Comments
Thank you so much Neil. I was determined to get a picture of a woodpecker while I was in New Mexico, especially in the fire damaged forest. I just didn't know it was going to be a Red-shafted Flicker.
Beautiful markings. Wonderful spotting and photos, Brian.
Love the orange mark near its beak:)
Thank you Tukup, Watson5 and Maria for the kind words.
The flickers are such pretty birds - we have the yellow-shafted where I live and it's always a treat to see them.
Thanks for sharing the link to the article Brian! I enjoyed learning more about the specific birds who seek out fire damaged forests. Thank you!
Great series Brian. Good description too. I look forward to seeing you in your Ranger hat" soon. I was glad to hear it.
Thanks Watson5. I cant believe its been almost 8 years since the "Little Bear Fire" which destroyed or damaged a lot of forest and Bonita Lake in Lincoln County. Many bird species benefit from forest fires including woodpeckers. Here is an article from BirdNote that originally ran on audubonmagazine.org, July 2011. https://www.birdnote.org/blog/2012/08/wi...
Great picture! The colors are so vibrant. It's interesting to hear that woodpeckers are moving into a fire damaged forest.