Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2021-22


Common name:

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Scientific name: Sphyrapicus varius
Date: 3/16/2021
Time: 4:27
Length of time observed: 22 min
Number: 1
Age: Juvenile transitioning into adult plumage.
Sex: Female
Location: Bonneville golf course
County: Salt Lake
Latilong: 40.7463 -111.8256
Elevation: 4700
Distance to bird: 8-20 ft
Optical equipment: Binoculars
Weather: Mostly overcast with some rain
Light Conditions: Overcast
Description:        Size of bird: Medium sized woodpecker
(Description:)       Basic Shape: Typical woodpecker
(Description:)  Overall Pattern: Mottled black gray and white
(Description:)            Bill Type: Long and thin
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
I heard drilling on a pine tree and found that it was a woodpecker and more specifically a sapsucker. The bird was an immature female close to full adult plumage except for some messy feathers on the face and crown. She had a red crown, clean white throat outlined in black and no red on the nape. She had yellow wash on the breast and the lines on her back were messy. Yellow-bellied are the only sapsucker with juvenile plumage in March.
(see photos )
Song or call & method of delivery: Silent
Behavior: First found drilling holes in a pine tree then flew to a deciduous tree and perched at the top.
Habitat: Golf course with deciduous and pine trees.
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
Red-naped Sapsucker: Should be into full adult plumage by March while yellow-bellied should just be transitioning into adult plumage. Red-naped Sapsucker usually has a red nape, white chin and red throat while the review bird has a clean white throat and no red in the nape.

Red-breasted Sapsucker: Should be in adult plumage well before March and would have an almost pure red head.

Williamson s Sapsucker: Female has a heavily barred body and no white patches on the wings. While the male has white wing bars, its black body eliminates it from consideration.
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
I have never seen a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker before but, l have seen many Red-naped Sapsuckers.
References consulted: The Sibley Guide To Birds , Field Guide To the Birds of Western North America
Description from: Notes made later
From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer: Eli K. Anderson
Observer's address:  Salt Lake City
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird: David Wheeler, Lauri Taylor, Pomera Fronce and many other.
Date prepared: 03/20/2021
Additional material: Photos
Additional comments: