On yesterday's CBC near Grand Rapids, I found a bird I believe to be a male Three-toed Woodpecker. I used the Sibley guide to make the identification and saw the bird at close range for several minutes. The bird clearly had barring on the length of its back, but it was tighter and more black-on-gray compared to what almost looks like a more open and black-on-white patch of barring on the Three-toed Woodpeckers in some guides. I had a partner with me who also noted the barring on the bird's back.
I haven't found this in any guide, but I'm wondering if male Black-backed Woodpeckers ever show barring on the back. Conversely, do Three-toed Woodpeckers show some variability in the contrast of their barring? I have been asked to provide documentation for this sighting and answers to these questions will help me. Thanks. Shawn Conrad Bovey _________________________________________________________________ MSN Shopping has everything on your holiday list. Get expert picks by style, age, and price. Try it! http://shopping.msn.com/content/shp/?ctId=8000,ptnrid=176,ptnrdata=200601&tcode=wlmtagline
