Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2003-37
| Common name: |
Red-breasted Sapsucker |
| Scientific name: | Sphyrapicus ruber daggetti |
| Date: | 10-17-03 |
| Time: | 1650 |
| Length of time observed: | 20 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | adult |
| Sex: | male |
| Location: | orchard at Lytle Ranch, Beaver Dam Wash |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | 19 |
| Elevation: | ~ 850 m |
| Distance to bird: | 5-20 m |
| Optical equipment: | 0 x 42 binoculars |
| Weather: | clear, calm, and hot |
| Light Conditions: | bright, but bird remained in shade of orchard |
| Detailed description of bird: |
A small to medium sized woodpecker with a red head, dark back and pale belly. Head: bright red crown, nape, chin, and throat extending down to breast. Black eye with a few black feathers in front and immediately behind the eye. Distinct white spot above and behind the eye, and a white patch through the lores. A small indistinct patch of black and white in auricular area. Large dark stout bill. Underparts: Red breast and pale yellow belly. Sides, flanks, and undertail coverts whitish yellow with blurry grayish streaks and vermiculations. Upperparts: Wings black with a bold white scapular patch and limited white
spots in primaries. Back was black, with limited yellow / white barring arranged
in two parallel rows. Rump white. Tail dark with a few white cental spots. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | none heard |
| Behavior: | typical sapsucker behavior, sticking close to tree trunk, moving slowly, and working sapwells. Short quick flights, landing in interior of tree. Unlike other sapsuckers this bird would freeze when approached (not flusing or slinking around to back side of tree trunk). |
| Habitat: | Orchard with a variety of trees, including fruiting persimmons and apples, near cottonwood/willow riparian cooridor. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Red-naped Sapsucker: Has bold black, white, and red head pattern (not primarily
red), and black bib on chest. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: Distinct head pattern, black on chest, and more extensive barring on back Hybrids (RN X RB): show more black and white in head pattern, and show some black on chest. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Very limited. This is the first I've seen in Utah. I've seen them a couple times
in Nevada, however I've seen several Red-naped X RB hybrids in Washington County. |
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: | Notes made later |
| Observer: | Rick Fridell and Kevin Wheeler |
| Observer's address: |
3505 West 290 North, Hurricane, UT 84737 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | rfridell@redrock.net |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Kevin Wheeler |
| Date prepared: |
10-23-03 (General Public) |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | I believe this was a typical male of the southern Red-breasted Sapsucker subspecies (daggetti). |