I just wanted to add that in addition to the red bellied woodpecker I had at
63rd and Oxford drive the morning of 2-23-23, I later had the golden-fronted x
red bellied woodpecker later that afternoon in the alley south of Holly’s
alley. Moments later I had the redheaded wood pecker at the west end of
Holly’s alley and the golden fronted x red bellied wood pecker made an
appearance near there as well.
( I was doing one of my walkabouts that day so after 11 + miles on foot I was
too tuckered to enter my notes in eBird. That’s on the agenda tonight or
tomorrow.
What a fun woodpecker year this has been so far...
Sheri Anderson
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 26, 2023, at 5:35 PM, Anthony Hewetson <fattonybirds@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Greetings All:
Today I searched the area from Holly's place on up to Davis Park and
found the following woodpeckers.
A Red-headed Woodpecker at the typical site near Holly's place - no
doubt a continuing bird.
A Golden-fronted x Red-bellied Woodpecker at about the same location -
no doubt a continuing bird.
A very straightforward male Red-bellied Woodpecker at the southeast
corner of Davis Park - about five blocks away from Holly's place and
possibly close enough to cause some confusion.
I also had two Ladder-backed Woodpeckers and two Northern Flickers in
the area bordered by Nashville to the east, Peoria to the west, 36th
to the north, and 42nd to the south.
I have validated all records of Golden-fronted x Red-bellied
Woodpecker from the immediate vicinity of Holly's place but would like
folk to look very carefully at any potential 'Red-bellied Woodpeckers
seen anywhere reasonably close. Sheri Anderson had a well-described
Red-bellied Woodpecker a bit further afield (I believe it was close to
63rd by Peoria) and it seems there are more interesting woodpeckers
than is normal for this particular Lubbock neighborhood this winter.
Regards; Anthony Hewetson
On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 5:20 PM Joseph Girgente <joseph92@xxxxxx> wrote:
Hey all,
I'm not sure if this has come up on the listserv yet, but the "red-bellied
woodpecker" down by Holly's house seems to be a golden-fronted x red-bellied
hybrid. Jennifer and I noticed this separately the other day and it brought
forth some discussion. There is certainly enough red in the nape to pass it
off as a simple red-bellied without a close look, but the orange/yellow
belly and forehead are evident. It also sports a mostly unspotted rump and
dark central rectrices. In fact, despite the red on the nape, the bird's
overall plumage is almost consistent with golden-fronted.
Any previous observations of this individual should be adjusted
appropriately with a hybrid or a "slash".
--
Thanks,
Joe Girgente
M.S. Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University 2024
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech 2015
B.S. Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech 2020
