Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2017-62
| Common name: |
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker |
| Scientific name: | Sphyrapicus varius |
| Date: | 11/5/17 |
| Time: | 7:37 am |
| Length of time observed: | 30 min |
| Number: | 2 |
| Age: | Juvenile |
| Sex: | N/A |
| Location: | Lytle Ranch Preserve |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | 37.142580, -114.022902 |
| Elevation: | 2800' |
| Distance to bird: | 15 feet |
| Optical equipment: | Pentax 8x43 ED binos, Canon 60D with 100-400mm IS lens |
| Weather: | Sunny and cool |
| Light Conditions: | Perfect |
| Description: Size of bird: | Medium woodpecker |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Verical woodpecker |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Mottled black and white |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Pointed chiseling |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
I saw two different juvenile sapsuckers. At this time of year, basically the
only sapsuckers that will be in juvenile plumage are Yellow-bellied. In
addition, these birds had white spotted crowns, broad white superciliums and
extensive white barring on the back. In addition, one of the juveniles had a duskier white moustachial stripe compared to the other bird. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Casual sapsucker drumming. |
| Behavior: | Hitching and working their way around various trees in the orchard of Lytle Ranch. Would fly to a new tree after a minute or so. |
| Habitat: | Orchard- evenly spaced fruit trees. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Red-naped Sapsucker is the only other species that could cause some confusion. However by November, they all should be in adult plumage. Plus Red-naped Sapsuckers have a uniform dark crown as juveniles and a thinner supercilium with less extensive white marks on the back. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I have seen a handful of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in Utah and plenty of them back east in NY. |
| References consulted: | Sibley 2nd edition. National Geographic 7th edition. |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Kenny Frisch |
| Observer's address: | 4609 S Wallace LN Holladay, UT |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | n/a |
| Date prepared: | 11/19/17 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | Photos of both the individuals can be found here: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S40319628. |