Records Committee
Utah Ornithological Society
   
Status & Comments
Year 2018 (records 51 through 72...)

2018-51  Blackpoll Warbler

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 21 Nov 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 4 Nov 2018 Acc Nice documentation photos.
Stephanie G. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Mike H. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Dennis S. 8 Oct 2018 Acc Good detailed report and substantiating photos.
Steve S. 18 Oct 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 11 Oct 2018 Acc Excellent documentation and photos.
Larry T. 13 Nov 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 10 Oct 2018 Acc The photos show traits of a Blackpoll Warbler, namely the yellow/orange legs, dark throat-stripes, and white undertail coverts.

 

2018-52  Tennessee Warbler

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 27 Nov 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 4 Nov 2018 Acc Awesome photos show the white undertail coverts.
Stephanie G. 9 Dec 2018 Acc Alright fir first-year female
Mike H. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Dennis S. 8 Oct 2018 Acc Nice photos.
Steve S. 18 Oct 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 11 Oct 2018 Acc Good documentation and photos. White vent clinches the i.d.
Larry T. 13 Nov 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 10 Oct 2018 Acc Photos show traits good for a Tennessee Warbler, including pale undertail coverts, short tail, and narrow wing-bars.

 

2018-53  Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 27 Nov 2018 Acc  

2nd round:  

21 Dec 2018 Acc The juvenile plumage and the appearance of red speckling over the entire crown are the reasons I am voting to accept.
Kenny F. 4 Nov 2018 Acc Red-naped Sapsucker wouldn't show this much juvenile plumage or plumage this pale at this date.

2nd round:  

8 Jan 2019 Acc The age of the bird at the date of this photo is consistent with Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
Stephanie G. 9 Dec 2018 Acc Very messy back, molt timing on point.

2nd round:  

6 Jan 2019 Acc  
Mike H. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  

2nd round:  

15 Feb 2019 Acc  
Bryan S. 2nd: 17 Feb 2019 Acc  
Dennis S. 8 Oct 2018 Acc If Oct.1st is the cut off for juvenile RNSA, then it's a YBSA.

2nd round:  

16 Dec 2018 Acc Still retention of juvenile plumage into fall is deciding factor.
Steve S. 18 Oct 2018 Acc  

2nd round:  

14 Feb 2019 Acc plumage says juvenile Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Mark S. 11 Oct 2018 No, ID I think that the date is still too early to safely rule out a late-molting RNSA on immature plumage alone. I would have liked to see a photo or description of the back, at least, for additional supporting evidence. That being said, the red in the crown appears to be entering from the entire crown, that supports YBSA (in RNSA the red tends to invade the crown from the forehead).

I'm not 100% opposed to passing this record, but have reservations about accepting it at this date largely on the stage of molt alone.

2nd round:  

14 Dec 2018 Acc My objections were minor, so I have no problem changing my vote, given that no other members shared them.
Larry T. 13 Nov 2018 Acc  

2nd round:  

5 Jan 2019 Acc  
Kevin W. 14 Dec 2018 Acc Seems like a good Yellow-bellied Sapsucker to me.

 

2018-54  Vaux's Swift

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 27 Nov 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 4 Nov 2018 Acc Description describes a Chaetura swift and rules out Chimney.
Stephanie G. 9 Dec 2018 Acc No photos, but observer has lots of experience with the species.
Mike H. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Dennis S. 31 Oct 2018 Acc Even with some concerns the overall description fits a VASW.
Steve S. 18 Oct 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 12 Oct 2018 Acc Good description. Just saw a hundred or so of them today.
Larry T. 13 Nov 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 14 Dec 2018 Acc Description fits Vaux's Swift.

 

2018-55  Hooded Warbler

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 27 Nov 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 4 Nov 2018 Acc Excellent photos.
Stephanie G. 9 Dec 2018 Acc Great bird
Mike H. 30 Oct 2018 Acc  
Dennis S. 12 Oct 2018 Acc Gorgeous bird.
Steve S. 18 Oct 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 12 Oct 2018 Acc Unmistakable.
Larry T. 13 Nov 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 14 Dec 2018 Acc Photos show distinctive adult male Hooded Warbler.

 

2018-56  Palm Warbler

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 27 Nov 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 4 Nov 2018 Acc Facial pattern in photo and description match Palm Warbler.
Stephanie G. 9 Dec 2018 Acc  
Mike H. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Dennis S. 18 Oct 2018 Acc Combination of described characters and partial photo tips scale. Tail pumping?
Steve S. 18 Oct 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 13 Dec 2018 Acc Even the incomplete view in the photo is enough to confirm a Palm Warbler in conjunction with the observers description.
Larry T. 13 Nov 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 14 Dec 2018 Acc I'd like to see more definitive characteristics in the photos, but I think they look good to be a Palm Warbler to me.

 

2018-57  Palm Warbler

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 27 Nov 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 4 Nov 2018 Acc Photos match western Palm Warbler
Stephanie G. 25 Oct 2018 Acc  
Mike H. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Dennis S. 31 Oct 2018 Acc No questions.
Steve S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc Photos show a Palm Warbler.
Larry T. 13 Nov 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 14 Dec 2018 Acc The photos show good characteristics for a Palm Warbler, and the description includes identifying behaviors.

 

2018-58  McCown's Longspur

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 27 Nov 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 4 Nov 2018 Acc Great description matches McCown's Longspur.

2nd round:  

3 Jan 2019 Acc The call and tail pattern are diagnostic for this species.
Stephanie G. 9 Dec 2018 Acc Hard to accept without photo, but the description is detailed and the observer has extensive experience with the species.

2nd round:  

6 Jan 2019 Acc  
Mike H. 14 Dec 2018 Acc Description of call combined with tail pattern.

2nd round:  

6 Mar 2019 Acc Same.
Dennis S. 31 Oct 2018 No, ID I continue to have concerns of very brief sound or sight records. Even with the apparent observers experience, I still find the probability of correct identification diminished.

2nd round:  

1 Jan 2019 No, ID I meant to not accept on first round and still have same concerns.  [first-round vote was mistakenly recorded as "acc"].
Bryan S. 2nd: 2 Mar 2019 Acc  
Steve S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  

2nd round:  

14 Feb 2019 Acc Tail pattern and call should make for a good ID with a competent birder
Mark S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc On a rarer bird, I'd want more solid evidence, but for a species of regular occurrence in Utah, call+brief view of distinctive field mark+experienced observer, is enough for me.

2nd round:  

15 Mar 2019 Acc As per my first round comment.
Larry T. 24 Dec 2018 Acc  

2nd round:  

5 Jan 2019 Acc I don't have a problem accepting it.
Kevin W. 14 Dec 2018 No, ID A record in "terrible" light with a glimpse of the bird silhouette in flight before it flies into the sun seems like a difficult identification. The call may be definitive, but I'd be cautious about accepting this record based on that.
David W. 2nd: 17 Jan 2019 Acc With the description of the tail an the observer's experience with calls, I have to agree with Mark on this one. The "terrible" light was not in reference to the brief but clear tail view, as I read it.

 

2018-59  Great-crested Flycatcher

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 27 Nov 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 4 Nov 2018 Acc Well documented bird with surprisingly few records in Utah.
Stephanie G. 9 Dec 2018 Acc Fun find
Mike H. 30 Oct 2018 Acc  
Dennis S. 31 Oct 2018 Acc Seen and substantiated by several observers over several days. Several supporting photos.
Steve S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc Good description. Call helps confirm.
Larry T. 24 Dec 2018 Acc Nice documentation of a Great Crested Flycatcher
Kevin W. 14 Dec 2018 Acc The description and photos do seem to eliminate other similar possibilities.  This bird seems good for a Great Crested Flycatcher; the chest is too dark and belly too yellow for other Myarchus flycatchers.

 

2018-60  Red-breasted Sapsucker

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 1 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 4 Nov 2018 Acc Photos look great for Red-breasted and rule out any signs of hybridization with Red-naped.
Stephanie G. 9 Dec 2018 Acc I'm glad that the second and third set of photos were submitted. The first set, it was unclear if there was black on the breast, making me wonder if there was some hybridization going on. But the other pictures got some better light and cleared that up.
Mike H. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Dennis S. 13 Nov 2018 Acc Doesn't appear to have hybrid characters.
Steve S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc No signs of a hybrid.
Larry T. 24 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 14 Dec 2018 Acc Photos show a pretty clean Red-breasted Sapsucker

 

2018-61  Rusty Blackbird

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 1 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 4 Nov 2018 Acc Good photos rule out Brewer's.
Stephanie G. 6 Jan 2019 Acc  
Mike H. 20 Nov 2018 Acc  
Dennis S. 14 Nov 2018 Acc Buffyness, pronounced eyebrow, and comparison with accompanying Brewer's Blackbird leaves little doubt.
Steve S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 16 Dec 2018 Acc Good photos, description.
Larry T. 24 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 14 Dec 2018 Acc Photos show pale eye and other characteristics of a female Rusty Blackbird.

 

2018-62  Red-breasted Sapsucker

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 1 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 4 Nov 2018 No, ID This looks to be a hybrid with a Red-naped. There is too much black and white plumage on the head for a pure Red-breasted and pure Red-breasted won't show black on the back of the head.

2nd round:  

8 Jan 2019 No, ID Still think that this bird has too much black and white on the face to be a pure RBSA.

I'm curious of the thoughts are on this bird from the committee members who voted to accept in the first round since no comments were left.
Stephanie G. 6 Jan 2019 Acc  

2nd round:  

15 Mar 2019 No, ID I see how it could be a hybrid.
Mike H. 27 Dec 2018 No, ID  

2nd round:  

6 Jan 2019 No, ID Feel this is a hybrid.
Dennis S. 13 Nov 2018 No, ID Not sure about this one! Appears to have too much black and white in face and head to be a pure RBSA. Has me leaning towards a hybrid YBSA x RBSA cross. Reporter does address concerns and makes legit reasons for his RBSA belief. We'll see what others think.

2nd round:  

18 Jan 2019 No, ID Still too much coloration evidence to support a pure RBSA.
Steve S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  

2nd round:  

2 Mar 2019 No, ID After looking again I will agree that this is a hybrid.
Mark S. 16 Dec 2018 No, ID I think we may be looking at a hybrid here. The amount of black on the head is troubling, and the amount of white on the back shades towards RNSA, too. Without a clear view of the breast, we lack important evidence to determine the "purity" of this individual.

2nd round:  

15 Mar 2019 No, ID Still looks like a hybrid.
Larry T. 24 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 14 Dec 2018 No, ID The black stripe showing through the red behind the eye, weak red on the chest, and the black patch on the back of the head indicate that this is likely a Red-breasted x Red-naped hybrid.
David W.  2nd: 27 Jan 2019 No, ID I have often opined about how arbitrary the cutoff is for gene flow within certain superspecies. The question of how much gene flow is too much is a thorny one. However, I do think this individual, though mostly Red-breasted, has enough black on the nape and face, along with the washed out pink of the breast compared to the throat, to make it what I consider to be a hybrid (albeit a back-cross of some sort).

 

2018-63  Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 1 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 3 Jan 2019 Acc The only sapsucker still in juvenile plumage at this date would be a Yellow-bellied and the messy back striping, pale crown and bold facial stripes fit as well.
Stephanie G. 9 Dec 2018 Acc Nice messy back, lack of red
Mike H. 27 Dec 2018 Acc  
Dennis S. 13 Nov 2018 Acc Strongly patterned back, strongly scalloped breast, and retention of juvenile plumage around head and upper body into late Fall all support a YBSA. 
Steve S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 16 Dec 2018 Acc Juvenile plumage in November is convincing.
Larry T. 26 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 14 Dec 2018 Acc The juvenile plumage and back pattern indicate that this is a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker to me.

 

2018-64  Least Flycatcher

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 1 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 3 Jan 2019 Acc Call matches Least Flycatcher
Stephanie G. 6 Jan 2019 Acc  
Mike H. 20 Nov 2018 Acc  
Dennis S. 14 Nov 2018 Acc Complete and convincing report, but why 3 years later?
Steve S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 16 Dec 2018 Acc Well documented
Larry T. 26 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 24 Dec 2018 Acc The call sounds like the distinct call of a Least Flycatcher.

 

2018-65  Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 1 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 3 Jan 2019 Acc The only sapsucker still in juvenile plumage at this date would be a Yellow-bellied and the messy back striping, pale crown and bold facial stripes fit as well.
Stephanie G. 6 Jan 2019 Acc  
Mike H. 20 Nov 2018 Acc  
Dennis S. 13 Nov 2018 Acc Again retention of brownish juvenile plumage into late Fall is best evidence for YBSA support.
Steve S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 16 Dec 2018 Acc Juvenile in November.
Larry T. 26 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 24 Dec 2018 Acc The late juvenile plumage and messy pattern on the back indicate Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

 

2018-66  Red-breasted Sapsucker

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 1 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 3 Jan 2019 Acc Great photos look good for a southern Red-breasted Sapsucker with no signs of hybridization with Red-naped.
Stephanie G. 6 Jan 2019 Acc  
Mike H. 20 Nov 2018 Acc  
Dennis S. 13 Nov 2018 Acc Nice group of photos. Doesn't appear to be a hybrid.
Steve S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 16 Dec 2018 Acc Fewer signs of a hybrid on this one.
Larry T. 26 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 24 Dec 2018 Acc The photos seem to show traits of a Red-breasted Sapsucker without any hybrid traits.

 

2018-67  Rusty Blackbird

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 1 Dec 2018 Acc (2018-67a - Acc on 12 Dec 2018)
Kenny F. 3 Jan 2019 Acc Nice pictures of a female Rusty Blackbird.
Stephanie G. 6 Jan 2019 Acc  
Mike H. 20 Nov 2018 Acc  
Dennis S. 16 Nov 2018 Acc  
Steve S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 16 Dec 2018 Acc Good documentation.
Larry T. 26 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 24 Dec 2018 Acc  The pale eyes and rusty tertial edgings indicate that this is a Rusty Blackbird.

 

2018-68  Ovenbird

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 1 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 3 Jan 2019 Acc Cool photos of a surprisingly nonskulky Ovenbird.
Stephanie G. 6 Jan 2019 Acc  
Mike H. 20 Nov 2018 Acc  
Dennis S. 19 Nov 2018 Acc  
Steve S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 16 Dec 2018 Acc Good photos.
Larry T. 26 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 24 Dec 2018 Acc The photos show distinctive Ovenbird.

 

2018-69  Winter Wren

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 1 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 3 Jan 2019 Acc Recordings are diagnostic for Winter Wren and not Pacific Wren.
Stephanie G. 6 Jan 2019 Acc  
Mike H. 20 Nov 2018 Acc The spectrogram (The best way to differentiate the two species) of the call matches that of the WIWR, not PAWR which would be the closest species.
Dennis S. 19 Nov 2018 Acc The described pale throat (substantiated by photo) and call recording is the best and convincing evidence
Steve S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 16 Dec 2018 Acc Excellent documentation, audio recordings clinch the i.d.
Larry T. 26 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 26 Dec 2018 Acc I'll tentatively accept this, based on the photos, which seem to be more Winter Wren-like with the light throat and tanner eyebrow, but the recorded call notes seem less convincing to me.

 

2018-70  Palm Warbler

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 21 Nov 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 3 Jan 2019 Acc Thorough description of the bird and its calls match Palm Warbler.
Stephanie G. 6 Jan 2019 Acc  
Mike H. 20 Nov 2018 Acc Good description.
Dennis S. 19 Nov 2018 Acc  
Steve S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 16 Dec 2018 Acc Good description.
Larry T. 26 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 26 Dec 2018 Acc Description and behavior indicate Palm Warbler.

 

2018-71  Magnolia Warbler

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 1 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 3 Jan 2019 Acc Clear photos of this distinctive warbler.
Stephanie G. 6 Jan 2019 Acc  
Mike H. 6 Jan 2019 Acc  
Dennis S. 21 Nov 2018 Acc No problems.
Steve S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 16 Dec 2018 Acc Good photos.
Larry T. 26 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 26 Dec 2018 Acc The bold streaks, white wing panel, and face pattern all point to magnolia, but that thick eye-ring has me confused; molting pattern, or just a trick of lighting maybe?

 

2018-72  Eastern Bluebird

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kathy B. 16 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kenny F. 3 Jan 2019 Acc Excellent documentation of this bird. Possibly one of the birds that overwintered 2 years ago?2018-
Stephanie G. 6 Jan 2019 Acc  
Mike H. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Dennis S. 16 Dec 2018 Acc No question! Same bird as 2 years ago?
Steve S. 14 Dec 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 16 Dec 2018 Acc The reddish throat eliminates Western.
Larry T. 26 Dec 2018 Acc  
Kevin W. 26 Dec 2018 Acc Rufous throat indicates that this is an Eastern Bluebird, and rules out Western.

 

2018-73  Rusty Blackbird

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kenny F. 8 Jan 2019 Acc Rusty plumage and bill shape look good for Rusty Blackbird.
Stephanie G. 6 Jan 2019 Acc  
Mike H. 6 Jan 2019 Acc  
Dennis S. 21 Dec 2018 Acc Nice photos.
Bryan S. 2 Mar 2019 Acc  
Steve S. 14 Feb 2018 Acc  
Mark S. 18 Dec 2018 Acc Good photos.
Kevin W. 26 Dec 2018 Acc Pale eye and the amount of rust in the feathers indicate a Rusty Blackbird.
David W. 16 Jan 2019 Acc Nice, detailed record with great photos.

 

2018-74  Winter Wren

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kenny F. 3 Jan 2019 Acc Photos and audio match Winter Wren.

2nd round:  

4 May 2019 Acc The calls are diagnostic for Winter Wren- the spectrogram confirms it.
Stephanie G. 6 Jan 2019 Acc  

2nd round:  

31 Mar 2019 Acc I was a bit hesitant at first, but studying the coloration of the bird, it seems to be fine for Winter Wren (light/gray/white supercilium instead of buffy) so I'm continuing to accept.
Mike H. 15 Feb 2018 Acc Call sounds good

2nd round:  

6 Mar 2019 Acc I agree that the photo is less convincing than the audio, but taken as a whole this (still) appears to be a Winter Wren.
Dennis S. 21 Dec 2018 Acc Characters and voice confirms.

2nd round:  

12 Mar 2019 Acc It's a close call but based on what we have (photos, recordings, and personal observations by many) I still vote to accept. I do wonder however if there's a gradation of characters where the two "species" ranges overlap or touch, and we have a spectrum of plumages and even voice.
Bryan S. 4 Mar 2019 No, ID I was one of the many that saw this bird and reported it on ebird as a winter wren, but I admit that at the time I was just going along with everybody else and wasn't really sure on the ID. At the time there was discussion with other birders there that they thought it sounded more like a pacific wren. One person I know played both call notes and the bird appeared to only respond to the pacific.

I spent a couple of hours listening to calls on xenocanto and reading though everything I could find on how to separate the two species and I am still not sure. The sound recordings in the video with the report are not great, but if I had to choose one or the other I think it sounds more like a Pacific.

I guess that I am just unsure and hope this goes to the second round so that I can hear discussion on it from everybody else.
Steve S. 14 Feb 2018 Acc  

2nd round:  

7 May 2019 Acc Photos and call match Winter Wren
Mark S. 18 Dec 2018 Acc I'm glad that we don't have to rely on the photos for this one, since they look less convincing than I would like. But the calls on the videos, especially video #2 are all Winter Wren.

2nd round:  

11 Apr 2019 Acc As per my first round comments.
Kevin W. 27 Dec 2018 Acc Looks and sounds like a Winter Wren
David W.. 16 Jan 2019 Acc Though not specifically noted by the this observer, the bird was also seen by others to have a pale throat without rufous overtones and white speckling on the flanks.

2nd round:  

15 Apr 2019 Acc I heard and saw this bird on two occasions, and the call and coloration were consistent with the Winter wren, not Pacific wren.

 

2018-75  Gilded Flicker

Evaluator Date Vote Comment
Kenny F. 3 Jan 2019 Acc The photos and description match GIFL. I think the undertail cover isn't accurately captured on the pictures since all the other traits especially the cinnamon forehead that continues past the eye look good for GIFL.

2nd round:  

4 May 2019 Acc The photos and description match GIFL. I think the undertail cover isn't accurately captured on the pictures since all the other traits especially the cinnamon forehead that continues past the eye look good for GIFL.
Stephanie G. 6 Jan 2019 Acc, NAS I really wish that we could see the nape and the back on this one. The amount of black on the tail makes me lean toward Gilded, however, I have hesitation because the coloration on the underside of the tail looks more orange-ish to me, instead of lemon yellow. I don't know if we can rule out an intermediate Northern Flicker or Gilded Flicker x Northern Flicker hybrid here. The coloration on the back of the crown of the head seems to fade more to gray, which would be better for Northern.

2nd round:  

31 Mar 2019 Acc, NAS Is indeed a Flicker, thus my vote for "Accept, but not at the species level." The tail appears to be more orange instead of lemon yellow, which would be better for an intergrade Northern Flicker or Gilded x Northern hybrid. The coloration on the nape seems to be more gray than cinnamon. I think I just don't think we can safely rule out a hybrid or intergrade.
Mike H. 15 Feb 2018 Acc If someone could ask Mike to photograph more angles of the subject bird in the future I would appreciate it. :-)

2nd round:  

18 May 2019 Acc I feel the photos show enough to call this a Gilded
Bryan S. 2 Mar 2019 Acc  

2nd round:  

22 Jun 2019 Acc While there is some possibility of hybridization, I feel like the pictures and information provided point more toward the bird being a clean Gilded
Dennis S. 1 Jan 2019 Acc A hybrid NO(RSFL) x GIFL may be a possibility but the report and photos are enough for a Gilded. The referenced Kaufman paper was very helpful and tipped the scales.

2nd round:  

12 Mar 2019 Acc I still think its characters look good for a GIFL.
Steve S. 14 Feb 2018 No, ID This bird looks like a hybrid Northern Flicker as the photos show the undertail to be orange not yellow

2nd round:  

7 May 2019 No, ID I still think this looks like a hybrid.
Mark S.  2nd: 11 Apr 2019 Acc I think the preponderance of evidence points to a non-hybrid Gilded Flicker. All of the classic field marks (that we can see in the photo) line up well with Gilded Flicker, and the ones that might be most likely to suggest a hybrid (like under tail color) are so slight that they are possibly misinterpreted or artifacts of the photograph. At the very least, if it has hybrid genes, we're talking about a several-generation back-cross with pure Gilded parents.

Given that in Utah and N Arizona, the potential for back-crosses would heavily favor a more Red-naped appearance, I find the idea of a mostly Gilded F3-4 individual to be more difficult to justify than a pure Gilded Flicker.
Larry T. 15 Feb 2018 Acc  This was a difficult one for me to accept. The photos could have been better but they do appear to be that of a Gilded.

There are so many hybrids out there.

The tail looks good, the breast patch and head color look good from what I can see. And it's also a good location.

2nd round:  

30 May 2019 Acc I still feel good about accepting it as a Gilded. I agree that the photos could be causing some of the questions with the tail color.
Kevin W. 27 Dec 2018 Acc I see no evidence of this being a hybrid Northern x Gilded Flicker; all the traits that are shown in the photo (chest spot, tail color, amount of black in the tail, head pattern) seem to point to Gilded.
David W. 17 Jan 2019 No, ID  Maybe.

There are some field marks supporting the ID. The best is:
-- Broad black tip to underside of tail

Good but less convincing:
-- Bib does look broad and rounded in photos A,B, and C, but photo D...meh.

I am voting No because:
-- I am not seeing a crescent shape to the breast spots
-- Neither I nor the observer could see the back pattern
-- Brown on head does seem to go back, but appears in the photos to sort of fade out half way into a more gray wash. Perhaps more suggesting a hybrid.

I am going to wait for the wise opinions of others before making up my mind on this one. I suspect and hope this will go into the 2nd round.

2nd round:  

29 Apr 2019 No, ID The affirmatives have made many compelling points, but I think my vote of "maybe" is supported by the comments of other Committee members who write things like "better than" and "preponderance of evidence." I don't wish to vote to accept what I consider a "maybe" for a species whose range/occurrence is of such interest.