Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Gilded Flicker
Scientific name:	[Colaptes chrysoides]
Date:	1/6/2024; 1/9/2024
Time:
Length of time observed:	5 minutes; 20 minutes
Number:	1
Age:
Sex:	Female
Location:	Salt Lake City Cemetery
County:	Salt Lake County
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	5 ft; 30 ft
Optical equipment:	Binoculars, Camera
Weather:
Light Conditions:	Bright and sunny; overcast
Description: Size of bird:
(Description:) Basic Shape:
(Description:) Overall Pattern:
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	I had initially called this bird a Yellow-shafted x Red-shafted Flicker Intergrade, but the field marks present in my photos drew attention to the fact that it could be a Gilded Flicker. The yellow underwing and undertail appears to be of a bright yellow in my pics (admittedly looks a little more yellow-orange in other people's pictures, but my observation of this bird on the 6th was on a bright day with sunlight unobscured by clouds, and this wasn't the case for subsequent observations) which points to a Gilded over an intergrade, the shape of the bib looking less obviously triangular and more broad and round, the obvious cinnamon color on the cap continuing down the nape, and the extensive black tip to the tail (approaching 50% of the length of the tail feathers, as opposed to maybe 1/3 or 1/4). Obviously the likelihood of this species, which is not known for vagrancy, or for straying outside of desert habitat, is extremely slim. Likelihood alone points to an intergrade displaying some extreme variation, although visually the bird appears very much like a Gilded Flicker. The final ID of the bird might depend on the level of variation one might see on a YSFLxNSFL Intergrade and whether it would happen to align so closely with GIFL. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	None
Behavior:
Habitat:
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Red-shafted Northern Flicker can be eliminated by the lack of red under the tail and wings. Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker can be eliminated by the color of the nape. An intergrade is seemingly eliminated by the cinnamon cap and nape. Ken Kaufman's paper on Flicker identification also compares the shape of the bib between all three Flicker forms, as well at the black on the tip of the tail, and the shape of the bib as well as the extensive black on the tip of the tail seemingly eliminate RSFL, YSFL, and RSFLxYSFL.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Extensive daily experience with RSFL for several decades, moderate experience with both YSFL and YSFLxRSFL intergrades. I have seen GIFL only in Southeast Arizona in proper habitat, where IDs were made solely based on habitat and shaft color.
References consulted:	Sibley; Macaulay Library; Field Identification of the Flicker Forms and Their Hybrids in North America, Ken Kaufman
Description from:	From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Quinn Diaz
Observer's address:
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	There are about a half-dozen other experienced birders who witnessed this bird on the 9th and all seem to strongly suspect that it's a GIFL, but in case the ID turns out to be incorrect, and in the interest of not speaking to the opinion's of other birders (which could very well change as new evidence arises), I will leave them unnamed.
Date prepared:	1/10/2024
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments: