The fleeting sight of a brown bird taking flight with a stark white patch on its back is a common observation. This visual cue, often seen as a bright flash against a darker body, provides a highly specific identifier for a few common North American species. This distinct visual signal narrows the possible candidates significantly, helping to solve the mystery of which brown bird it might be.
The Prominent White Rump Patch: Northern Flicker
The most likely candidate for a large brown bird displaying a solid white spot on its back is the Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus), a widespread species of woodpecker. This bird is large, typically measuring between 12 and 14 inches in length. Its overall plumage is a mottled grayish-brown, often appearing barred with black across the back and wings, and it possesses a distinctive black crescent on its upper chest.
The white spot is a large, unmarked patch of feathers located on the lower back and rump. This rump patch is conspicuous because it contrasts sharply with the surrounding dark plumage and is fully exposed when the bird flies. The Northern Flicker’s flight pattern is a major clue, characterized by an undulating, or bouncy, movement where the white rump becomes visible with each upward flap.
Another detail that separates the flicker is the flash of color visible beneath its wings and tail during flight. Depending on the bird’s geographic location, this color will be either a bright yellow (East) or a salmon-pink red (West). The male of both types also possesses a patch of red feathers on the nape of the neck.
Northern Flickers are not strictly tree-dwelling like many other woodpeckers, often spending their time foraging on the ground in open woodlands, parks, and suburban areas. The combination of its large size, brown body, and the stationary white patch on its rump makes the flicker the primary suspect. This prominent patch is thought to serve as a distraction to predators.
White Outer Tail Feathers: Towhees and Other Sparrows
While the Northern Flicker displays a solid rump patch, other smaller brown birds create a similar visual effect with white markings on their tail feathers. The Eastern Towhee and the Spotted Towhee are robust sparrows that flash white when startled or changing direction. These birds are smaller than the flicker, roughly the size of a robin, and are typically found low to the ground in dense shrubs and thickets.
The male Eastern Towhee is black on the head and upper parts, with rufous flanks, while the female has a brown head and back. Both sexes of Eastern Towhee and the Spotted Towhee have white tips on the outer edges of their long tail feathers. When the bird takes flight, it spreads its tail momentarily, causing a distinct flash of white on the sides that can be mistaken for a spot on the back. This white is dynamic, appearing only with the movement of the tail, unlike the flicker’s static rump patch.
A smaller candidate is the Vesper Sparrow, a chunky, streaked brown bird found in open fields and grasslands. It possesses easily visible white outer tail feathers that flash when it flies. The key to differentiating these sparrows from the flicker is the location of the white—on the tail feathers, not the rump—and their smaller body size.
Confirming Identification Through Behavior and Sound
Once visual cues have narrowed the possibilities, confirming the species relies on observing characteristic behaviors and listening for specific vocalizations. The Northern Flicker is unique among woodpeckers because it spends a significant amount of time on the ground, often searching for ants, which form a major part of its diet. When foraging, the flicker will hop and dig on lawns or bare earth with its slightly curved bill.
The flicker’s vocal repertoire includes a loud, ringing call, often transcribed as a repeated “wicka-wicka-wicka” or a single, piercing “kleeer”. Like other woodpeckers, it also communicates by drumming on resonant surfaces, such as dead trees or metal objects, creating a loud, rapid, and rhythmic sound.
In contrast, the Towhees are known for their distinctive ground-foraging technique called “double-scratching.” They use both feet simultaneously to hop backward, kicking up leaf litter to expose seeds and insects. The sound of this rustling in the dry leaves is often the first indication of a Towhee’s presence.
Auditory confirmation for the Eastern Towhee comes from its loud, familiar call note, which sounds like “chewink” or “joree.” Its song is a clear, musical phrase sometimes memorized as “drink-your-tea.” Knowing the geographic context can also help, as the Eastern Towhee is primarily found east of the Great Plains, while the Spotted Towhee is found in the West.