Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2004-10
| Common name: |
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker |
| Scientific name: | Sphyrapicus varius |
| Date: | 11-8-03 |
| Time: | 10:00 am |
| Length of time observed: | 3 to 4 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Juvenile |
| Sex: | female? |
| Location: | Lytle Ranch |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 50 feet |
| Optical equipment: | 10x42 B&L Elites |
| Weather: |
Partly cloudy |
| Light Conditions: | Good |
| Detailed description of bird: | A brownish plumaged woodpecker.The head was brownish with the hint of two white stripes on the side of the head.The throat was a little paler looking but I couldn't see any color on it.The back was brownish with a lot of whitish markings mixed in with it.The Brownish wings had the hint of the white stripe of a Sapsucker.I didn't see the underparts well but what I saw looked a little paler than the back and wings but still brownish. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | |
| Behavior: | I watched it move to a couple of different trees working on Sapsucker wells. |
| Habitat: | Orchard in the middle of desert habitat. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
A Red-naped Sapsucker Should look more like an adult at this time of year. It
wouldn't be retaining this much of the juvenile brownish plumage. I have seen
Red-naped in Oct. that still showed juv. plumage on the body but the head looked
more like an adult bird. A Red-breasted Sapsucker would also look like an
adult at this time of year with at least some red showing on the head. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I have seen many adult and juvenile YB Sapsuckers as well as RN and RB Sapsuckers. Also a lot of female Williamson's |
| References consulted: | Sibley Guide |
| Description from: |
Notes made later |
| Observer: | Larry Tripp |
| Observer's address: | 131 N. Butch Cassidy Trl. Central, UT. 84722 |
| Observer's e-mail address: |
LTRIPP29@HOTMAIL.COM |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 5-31-04 (General Public) |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: |