Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2013-89
| Common name: |
Red-breasted Sapsucker |
| Scientific name: | Sphyrapicus ruber |
| Date: | 10-04-2013 |
| Time: | morning |
| Length of time observed: | 3 min |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | juv |
| Sex: | male ? |
| Location: | Orchard at Lytle Ranch |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | 19 |
| Elevation: | ~850 m |
| Distance to bird: | 4-5 m |
| Optical equipment: | 10 x 42 binoculars |
| Weather: | overcast |
| Light Conditions: | overcast |
| Description: Size of bird: | |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
I observed a juvenile (hatch-year) Red-breasted Sapsucker eating persimmons in
the orchard at Lytle Ranch. The sapsucker appeared to be molting into adult
plumage on the upper breast. Description: Sapsucker with long stout bill, red head, white loral stripe, dark back, prominent white wing patch, and yellow belly. Head deep red with white stripe extending from top of bill downward to below front of eye and faintly visible below and behind eye. Red extending down throat onto chest. Yellow belly with black streaking/ vermiculations on sides, white with dusky markings on undertail coverts. Wings black with prominent white patch and white spots on primaries. Black back with white spots arranged in two parallel vertical lines. Tail black with white barred central retrices. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | none heard |
| Behavior: | eating persimmons in orchard |
| Habitat: | orchard adjacent to desert riparian area |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Distinguished from Red-naped, Yellow-bellied, and hybrid sapsuckers by solid red head, limited facial pattern, sparse back pattern, and lack of black crescent on breast and black feathering on nape. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
yes |
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: | Notes made later |
| Observer: | Rick Fridell |
| Observer's address: | Hurricane, UT |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 12-05-2013 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional_Comments: | description above copied from field notes |