Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Scientific name:	Sphyrapicus varius
Date:	3/16/2021
Time:	4:27
Length of time observed:	22 min
Number:	1
Age:	Juvenile transitioning into adult plumage.
Sex:	Female
Location:	Bonneville golf course
County:	Salt Lake
Latilong:	40.7463 -111.8256
Elevation:	4700
Distance to bird:	8-20 ft
Optical equipment:	Binoculars
Weather:	Mostly overcast with some rain
Light Conditions:	Overcast
Description: Size of bird:	Medium sized woodpecker
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Typical woodpecker
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Mottled black gray and white
(Description:) Bill Type:	Long and thin
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	I heard drilling on a pine tree and found that it was a woodpecker and more specifically a sapsucker. The bird was an immature female close to full adult plumage except for some messy feathers on the face and crown. She had a red crown, clean white throat outlined in black and no red on the nape. She had yellow wash on the breast and the lines on her back were messy. Yellow-bellied are the only sapsucker with juvenile plumage in March. (see photos )
Song or call & method of delivery:	Silent
Behavior:	First found drilling holes in a pine tree then flew to a deciduous tree and perched at the top.
Habitat:	Golf course with deciduous and pine trees.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Red-naped Sapsucker: Should be into full adult plumage by March while yellow-bellied should just be transitioning into adult plumage. Red-naped Sapsucker usually has a red nape, white chin and red throat while the review bird has a clean white throat and no red in the nape. Red-breasted Sapsucker: Should be in adult plumage well before March and would have an almost pure red head. Williamson s Sapsucker: Female has a heavily barred body and no white patches on the wings. While the male has white wing bars, its black body eliminates it from consideration.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I have never seen a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker before but, l have seen many Red-naped Sapsuckers.
References consulted:	The Sibley Guide To Birds , Field Guide To the Birds of Western North America
Description from:	Notes made later From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Eli K. Anderson
Observer's address:	Salt Lake City
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	David Wheeler, Lauri Taylor, Pomera Fronce and many other.
Date prepared:	03/20/2021
Additional material:	Photos
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