Unknown bird in an oak tree

by Wayne
(Folsom, CA, USA)

This bird was perched in an oak tree in Folsom, CA (Sacramento County) 3/20/2010. It has orange underside tail feathers with a pronged tip. It is white on the lower back. It has a long black pointed bill tilted slightly downward. It has black eyes surrounded by brown. The head is a dark grey. The breast is spotted. It is about the size of a robin.


I believe this is a beautiful Red-shafted Flicker, however as you are from California it might be a Gilded Flicker.
California bird experts, please jump in.

You can read more about this bird here.