Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2014-038
| Common name: |
Red-headed Woodpecker |
| Scientific name: | Melanerpes erythrocephalus |
| Date: | 12-14-2014 |
| Time: | 11:00 |
| Length of time observed: | 20-30 min |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | juvenile |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | pecan grove along 920 West, Hurricane |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | 19 |
| Elevation: | ~ 900 m |
| Distance to bird: | 25-50 m |
| Optical equipment: | 8 x 42 binoculars |
| Weather: | cloudy |
| Light Conditions: | overcast |
| Description: Size of bird: | |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
After driving through the Hurricane Fields, I stopped at the pecan grove along
920 West. Soon after stopping, I heard the distinctive churr, churr call of a
Red-headed Woodpecker. I eventually located the woodpecker near the center of
the grove along the lane into the 810 South residence. It was clearly an
immature (hatch-year). There were several additional woodpecker species in the grove (Red-naped Sapsucker, Downy, Hairy, and Ladder-back woodpeckers, and several Northern Flickers). In recent years there have been wintering Lewis s Woodpeckers remaining from December through March at this location. Description: Small to medium sized woodpecker with mottled dark hood (including all of head from nape to upper breast), brownish molting into red plumage, black back, black wings with large white secondary patches, black tail, white rump, and white undersides with dark mottling on the sides to flanks. Dark eye, gray feet, large pale bill, darker towards tip (but with pale tip). (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | frequently calling, "churr, churr" |
| Behavior: | feeding on pecans in orchard |
| Habitat: | orchard, surrounded by agriculture fields and housing area |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
very distinctive species |
| 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: | 12-18-2014 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional_Comments: | description copied from field notes |