[amateur]

I have seen this bird twice in the woods on the edge of Northlands Golf Course. Being from Ontario I am used to seeing them on occasion but this one looks brighter and sharper coloured than the ones I have seen - I wondered, since it isn't local, if I have confused it with something else but can't find anything that looks similar.

[Fancy]

Welcome!
There isn't anything quite like the Red-headed Woodpecker. But, could the bird be a Pileated Woodpecker? They're black and white with red on the head.
Have you gotten a photo? If so, that could help to identify it.

[amateur]

Welcome!
There isn't anything quite like the Red-headed Woodpecker. But, could the bird be a Pileated Woodpecker? They're black and white with red on the head.
Have you gotten a photo? If so, that could help to identify it.

Sadly no photo - way too slow - one time it was heading straight into a window (I scared it before it hit whew) the other time it was on a tree for a few minutes. I wonder if it was a pileated - my eyesight is terrible but I was pretty sure there wasn't a crest, just a rounded head. If no one else spots it, I will admit it must have been a pileated.

[nwjj]

Hi,
I'm also from Ont. originally, and I would suggest you might have seen a red breasted sapsucker. They are quite like a red headed woodpecker if you only get a quick view.
Jean

[amateur]

Hi,
I'm also from Ont. originally, and I would suggest you might have seen a red breasted sapsucker. They are quite like a red headed woodpecker if you only get a quick view.
Jean

Except for having a red head? No you are right - that must have been what it was - I thought I had pulled up a site with all the red west coast birds but apparently there are a few gaps in its list

[russellcannings]

(Red-breasted Sapsuckers have red heads)

Russ

[novice]

I too have seen it in east Richmond. Definitely saw a red headed woodpecker. Had never seen one before and looked it up to find its kind.

[oldisnew45]

I saw a red headed woodpecker in my tree downtown Vancouver. I was very surprised as I had never seen one in my life and use to be a very dedicated watcher of birds
oops it was a red breasted sapsucker