This was taken Monday 4 Apr 2016 at Lafitte's cove on Galveston Is.
I will let others judge as to its parentage.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cys8Q5A8V-4/VwT_rRLlEaI/AAAAAAAAJQI/pRUOQi6bTCMeorgOjopUjzMGwEvc_vM3QCCo/s800-Ic42/270A1199%2B%25282%2529.jpg
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Date: Tue, 5 Apr 2016 18:41:08 +0000 (UTC)
From: "Ron Weeks" <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> (Redacted sender "ronweeks"
Subject: [texbirds] Lafitte's Cove "Ladder-Backed" Woodpecker Is Actually A Hyb
TexBirders,
Last year I asked for photographs of the Lafitte's Cove apparent
Ladder-backed x Downy Woodpecker. My goal was to figure out how long
this bird had been present. To my surprise, David McDonald sent me a
photograph of the same very distinctive bird from November 2006.
eBird shows records from that location starting in 2009. Furthermore,
I have seen no documentation that suggests there ever has been a
"pure" Ladder-backed from that location. If you have some please send
it to me. Therefore, I have added a hybrid designation to the eBird
checklist for Galveston County which will pop up on your smartphone or
computer.
So why am I so sure it is a hybrid? Take a look at the Texas Bird
Images page and take a look at the bird in question. Hybrids - Texas
Bird Image Archive
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| Hybrids - Texas Bird Image ArchiveTexas Bird Images by Geographic region |
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Stephen Shunk whose new book, Peterson Reference Guide to Woodpeckers
of North America, actually has some of Greg Page's pictures of this
bird in it, believes it is a hybrid. I asked him why he felt that
way. I also sent him another David McDonald photograph of a apparent
Ladder-backed with a broken face mask from Pedernales SP for
comparison asking him how he would separate the two. Below are
Stephen's comments. He sold me and everyone else I have consulted.
Please send any comments to TexBirds on this topic so we can all learn
together.
Bill length - the purported LBxDO has a proportionately shorter and
more conically shaped bill than your LBWOLores - the lores on the
LBxDO appear noticeably lighter than those on the LBWONasal tufts -
the nasal tufts on the LBxDO appear puffier--more DOWO-like--than
those on the LBWOFlanks/Sides - The flanks/sides of your bird appear
to be far more heavily marked than those of the other bird, which
appears just barely markedFacial striping - The LBxDO appears to have
LB-like markings Back markings - The markings on the LBxDO seem to
broader in the center than at the ends; a LBWO should have lines of
even width all the way acrossOuter tail feathers - The LBWO appears to
be more heavily marked on these feathers, but the LBxDO's outer recs
are very hard to see Primary projection - The LBxDO seems to have
shorter projection than the LBWO, but this is difficult to see on the
LBWOGIS - The DOxLB just looks more compact, smaller-headed,
shorter-billed; the LBWO "longer", leaner, and lar
ger head and bill shape
Ron WeeksLake Jackson
--
Monte
https://picasaweb.google.com/monte.phillips
"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands,
hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H. L. Mencken
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