Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2006-57
| Common name: |
Red-breasted Sapsucker |
| Scientific name: | Sphyrapicus ruber |
| Date: | 10-13-06 |
| Time: | 9:30 AM |
| Length of time observed: | 30 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Lytle Ranch |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | Within 10 feet |
| Optical equipment: | 10x42 binns and 20x60 zoom scope |
| Weather: | Partly cloudy |
| Light Conditions: | Good |
| Description: Size of bird: | Mid sized Woodpecker |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Woodpecker |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Black,red and white |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Woodpecker type |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
The head,throat and breast were bright red with a white moustachial that
extended to the sides of the neck. There was some black around the eye. The back of the bird was black with two narrow rows of white markings that when down onto the tail. The wings were black with a white patch on the coverts and some white bars on the primaries. The lower breast and belly were a yellowish white with smudgy black marks on the sides and flanks. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | |
| Behavior: | Hanging onto tree trunks and Eating out of sap wells. |
| Habitat: | Orchard in the middle of desert scrub habitat. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
R N and Y B Sapsuckers hybidize frequently with R B Sapsuckers so the only real
confusion problem to look for would be a hybrid. This bird showed no signs of
black on the breast or the back of the head. The narrow rows of white on the back is also a good sign for R B Sapsucker which this bird had.The amount of red it had probably made it a male Daggetti. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I have seen hundreds of Red-breasted Sapsuckers and a lot of hybrids. |
| References consulted: | Sibley Guide and Pyle. |
| Description from: | Notes made later |
| Observer: | Larry Tripp |
| Observer's address: | 131 N. Butch Cassidy Trl. Central,Utah 84722 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ltripp29@hotmail.com |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Peyton Cook |
| Date prepared: | 11-28-06 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |