I found this woodpecker along a wooded areaa near a beach in Chicago yesterday. I have seen many woodpeckers and this was clearly something I had never seen. It was the size of a Northern Flicker and was very nervous in my presence. The back had a brownish/golden color which might not be evident in the picture. I had to stay still for 15 minutes before it would start moving. Hopefully someone out there can identify it.
Thanks
Posted by Toni Lankerd on October 2, 2010 at 10:51 AM
My guess would be an immature Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker...
Posted by Drew Fulton on October 2, 2010 at 11:53 AM
Toni is correct. This is a yellow-bellied sapsucker.
Discussion
2 repliesI found this woodpecker along a wooded areaa near a beach in Chicago yesterday. I have seen many woodpeckers and this was clearly something I had never seen. It was the size of a Northern Flicker and was very nervous in my presence. The back had a brownish/golden color which might not be evident in the picture. I had to stay still for 15 minutes before it would start moving. Hopefully someone out there can identify it.
Thanks