Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2014-031
| Common name: |
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker |
| Scientific name: | Sphyrapicus varius |
| Date: | Mon Oct 13, 2014 |
| Time: | 7:45 AM |
| Length of time observed: | 30 min |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | adult |
| Sex: | male |
| Location: | Quail Creek Reservoir |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | 37.189421,-113.392478 |
| Elevation: | 3,300 ft |
| Distance to bird: | 20 feet |
| Optical equipment: | 8x42 binoculars |
| Weather: | calm sunny |
| Light Conditions: | mid morning |
| Description: Size of bird: | smaller than northen flicker |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | woodpecker |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | black and and white with red on forehead and chin |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | sapsucker; long sturdy |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
white wing patch on otherwise dark wings back is black and white with barred pattern Red chin completely bordered with solid black border red on forehead White on nape (no red on nape) (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | none |
| Behavior: | visiting sapsucker wells on Chinese Elm. Climbing and circling larger limbs. Flitting from branch to branch seldom holding still. |
| Habitat: | sandy lake shore with medium size trees |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
non-Sapsuckers ruled out by white wing patch Red-naped Sapsucker ruled out by solid red chin patch and solid black border. Red-breasted Sapsucker ruled out due to black border on red chin patch and no red on nape Williamson's ruled out by barred back, and red on forehead |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
10 red-naped sapsuckers seen at the Lytle ranch orchard
the day before. Have seen red-breasted sapsuckers in California |
| References consulted: |
Sibley guide to birds National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Von Welch and Karen Welch |
| Observer's address: | 11045 N. 5550 West, Highland, UT 84003 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 11/8/14 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional_Comments: |