Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus auratus), Rotary Park, Lake Havasu City, Mohave County

This Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker was discovered and photographed by Lauren Harter on 13 December 2012.

Most of the Northern Flickers seen in Arizona that have yellower shafts are intergrades between the Red-shafted and Yellow-shafted forms. Pure Yellow-shafted Northern Flickers are rare in Arizona. 

Brown face and gray nape, black malar, red crescent on the nape, and bright yellow flight feathers are typical of "Yellow-shafted" Flicker. This individual shows no sign of intergradation with "Red-shafted" Flicker.

13 December 2012, photo by Lauren Harter

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