[mcrosbie]

I got a surprise at noon today. I was sitting on my couch and heard a call that sounded like a woodpecker's call. I looked up adn there was what appeared to be a pileated woodpecker at the large tree in front of my apartment. I quickly grabbed my camera to get a couple of shots of it. The quality of light was not very good, but I could detect a small red patch at the back of the bird's head. It was a large bird that at first I thought was a flicker, but on closer exam, realized was a woodpecker. It didn't stay very long. Am I right to think it is a pileated woodpecker? I live in the city of Courtenay on Vancouver Island.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2m5ZHWn][img]

[jewill]

Yes, you are correct…a female (no red malar stripes).

[mcrosbie]

Thank you. I didn't know it was a female.