Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2019-47
| Common name: |
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker |
| Scientific name: | Sphyrapicus varius |
| Date: | December 26, 2019 |
| Time: | 2:30 PM |
| Length of time observed: | 3 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | hatch year/juvenile |
| Sex: | Male |
| Location: | Lytle Ranch |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 20-40 yards |
| Optical equipment: | 10X binocs and 150-600mm Canon Camera |
| Weather: | Overcast |
| Light Conditions: | Fairly low light for daytime |
| Description: Size of bird: | 6''-7'' estimated |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Classic Sapsucker shape |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | See Photos |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | See Photos |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Red Crown and throat. No red on nape. Black and whitish striped face. Underparts
messy yellowish. White stripe on folded wing. Back barred yellowish brown. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Did not hear any vocalization. |
| Behavior: | Visiting tap wells in orchard fruit and nut trees. |
| Habitat: | Fruit/nut orchard in Beaver Dam Wash. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Most similar would be Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis). Eliminated by lack of red on nape, barring on back, and plummage for this time of year. Photos were reviewed by several for possible Red-naped or hybrid. Stephen Skunk and Cameron Cox both said it "looks good for a YBSA." They did say that from these images it is not possible to completely rule out a hybrid. Stephen Skunk said, "...the bird looks good for a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a hatch-year/juvenile male...Red-naped is more common in Utah, but *only in bredding season*. The RNSA should have all migrated south by now, whereas the YBSA breed much further north and move south in the winter. Males tend to overwinter farther north than females, hence your rather northern bird." |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Have seen and phototgraphed vetted YBSA once in St. George and once in the Payson, Utah cemetery. |
| References consulted: | Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America, IBird Pro, and Sibley Birds v2. |
| Description from: |
Notes made later From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Terry Reid |
| Observer's address: | 2675 E Canyon Road, Springville, UT 84663 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 12/30/19 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |