The Moustache Returns

During the fall I noticed a distinct oddity in the visitation pattern of the woodpecker community.  Banks of photos showed all female Downys, Red Bellieds and Northern Flickers.  And nary a male to be seen.  And in slow progression, male birds showed up... Downys at first.  then not long after, the Red Bellieds.  But I didn't spot any male flickers, until yesterday.  And here he is.

The distinctive field mark isn't a red patch I would seek in other woodpeckers.  With the flickers we look at the cheeks and determine if the bird has a black "moustache."  See one? You have a male.  Not there? a female.  Distinct and definitive...provided you're dealing with Yellow Shafted flickers.  Happily for me, that's a done deal.  I only see Yellow Shafteds here.  Farther west we would need to sort out Red or Yellow and that's a tougher inspection of the tail feathers.

Whatever the case, we are always happy to see He and She.  (And She was in a little later at the same feeder.)  That may mean a breeding pair and the chance for young flickers in not too many weeks.