Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2015-01
| Common name: |
Red-breasted Sapsucker |
| Scientific name: | Sphyrapicus ruber |
| Date: | 01/02/2015 |
| Time: | 11:45 A.M. |
| Length of time observed: | 25 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Unknown |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | Rockville, UT (Amber Inn Bed and Breakfast) |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | 37°9′41″N 113°2′15″W |
| Elevation: | 3740 ft. |
| Distance to bird: | 20 ft. |
| Optical equipment: | Binoculars, 250 mm zoom camera lens |
| Weather: | Chilly, clear |
| Light Conditions: | Good |
| Description: Size of bird: | Typical sapsucker size (approx. 8.5 inches) |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Typical sapsucker shape |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Mostly red head (extending into breast), back mostly black with limited white streaks, mostly gray breast with small area of yellow upper and white mid-section. |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Thick, straight (Similar to other sapsuckers) |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Head: mostly red (extending into breast), only extensive area of white on head
between eye and bill. Back: mostly black with limited white streaks. Breast: mostly gray with slight yellow upper and white mid-section. Significant red extending onto upper breast from head. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Unknown |
| Behavior: | Very active movements across tree trunk while drumming, flew back and forth between two large tree several times. Observed returning to same spot on lower tree trunk multiple times. Allowed us to get fairly close while photographing. |
| Habitat: | Large pine trees in yard. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Red-naped sapsucker: eliminated due to extensive
red on subject's head extending into breast, and very small area of white
between eye and bill (not extending far down like red-naped). Back also
noticeably darker than typical red-naped. Yellow-bellied sapsucker: elminated for same reasons as red-naped. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
First time observing red-breasted sapsucker. I have observed red-naped sapsuckers on numerous occasions and this bird caught our attention due to its extensively red-colored head. |
| References consulted: | Sibley Field Guide to Birds (Western North America) |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Mike Schijf |
| Observer's address: | 354 Vermillion Ave. St. George, UT 84790 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Martin Schijf |
| Date prepared: | 01/04/2015 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional_Comments: | Will email photos |