black & white flash - ID ?

[SmartWombat]

That's all I saw, but it was headed across the car park headed for a tree.
Shot through the car windscreen, E-P1 Panasonic 45-200.
Our son got out of the car to shoot with his Panasonic FZ25 and it flew off.

Red on the back of the head, red on the belly down towards the tail, red under the beak on the neck - what have I got here?

[DennisT]

Looks like a woodpecker - of the North American variety so unable to check further. Most of my pics look like this by the way and yes! they do tend to fly at the most inappropriate moments (that's the challenge I guess) - your windshield must have been clean!!! to get that focus.

[Frog]

Is it this one http://www.americanbirdguide.com/wordpress/?p=6

[mjs1973]

Looks like the red-bellied woodpeckers we have around here, but I don't know if you have those across the pond.

[CaraRose]

I agree with Red Bellied. Were you in the USA?

[DennisT]

Here's a pic of the Golden Tailed Woodpecker from our region - most of the remaining woodpeckers have similar plumage that is characterised by the red helmet etc. So I thought "mmmm maybe a US woodpecker?" as captured in the parking lot.

[SmartWombat]

I agree with Red Bellied. Were you in the USA?

Yes, FL.
Hoping for a day holiday for me, along with the mouse worship.

[CaraRose]

LOL, mouse worship, love that.

[paulnj]

red bellied WP.