Michiganders: know this bird?

[flangster]

I have been bicycling across Michigan this week on the rail-to-trail system. I keep surprising this bird: about the size of a robin, but when it flies away from you, it has a white tail, kind of like a white-tailed deer.

Any clues? Just curious. Beautiful state in the rural areas. Pretty flat from Muskegon due east. Tomorrow, Flint, and then on to Ontario.

[bberg7794]

Not a Michigander, but I think you might be seeing a Flicker.

http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...usy-Beauty.jpg

Brian

[Eric300]

I believe that you are seeing the Northern Flicker. You can only see the white spot on it's back above, and forward of the tail, when it's in flight flying away from you.

[jbeachler]

I’m not from Michigan, but I agree with Eric300’s answer.


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[flangster]

Originally Posted by Eric300

I believe that you are seeing the Northern Flicker. You can only see the white spot on it's back above, and forward of the tail, when it's in flight flying away from you.

That sounds like it might be what I am seeing. Thanks!

[56S]

Northern Flickers also have a distinctive flight pattern like Woodpeckers. They flap a bit and coast with their wings folded in. You usually don't see this unless the bird is making a longer flight.

[LtCrunch]

Flickers also have a very distinctive call. Once you've heard them they're hard to mistake for anything other than a pileated woodpecker (they're related.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL-DNEHI21s

Kind of reminds me of the "Tookie Tookie" bird from George of the Jungle cartoon fame https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGUgtebFVQE

Frank

[Al the Infidel]

Originally Posted by LtCrunch

Flickers also have a very distinctive call. Once you've heard them they're hard to mistake for anything other than a pileated woodpecker (they're related.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL-DNEHI21s

Kind of reminds me of the "Tookie Tookie" bird from George of the Jungle cartoon fame https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGUgtebFVQE

Frank

I call it the Jeremiah Johnson bird as its heard when they trespassed thru the Native American burial ground in the movie.

[56S]

This year I've seen Hairy, Downy, Red Headed, Red Breasted and Piliated Peckers. Northern Flickers too. Right off my front porch. Don't ask what we spend on bird food.

[LtCrunch]

Great movie and a beautiful bird Al...annoyingly noisy little buggers though if they decide to start "drumming" on swamp coolers or roof mount HVAC systems. Just lonely boys looking for love

Frank

[Al the Infidel]

Originally Posted by LtCrunch

Great movie and a beautiful bird Al...annoyingly noisy little buggers though if they decide to start "drumming" on swamp coolers or roof mount HVAC systems. Just lonely boys looking for love

Frank

They used to drum on our aluminum chimney at the crack of dawn. shick shick
Edit- SS chimney stack

[dlong]

Beautiful bird.