Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Red-headed Woodpecker
Scientific name:	[Melanerpes erythrocephalus]
Date:	7/4/2023
Time:	12:30
Length of time observed:	1 minute
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:
Location:	Logan Canyon, near corrals - on horseback trail past the creek, about 3/4 up the mountain from the creek, mixed pine & Aspen, bird was on trunk of pine tree pecking
County:	Cache
Latilong:	https://maps.app.goo.gl/A4unD5uoUFdkGF888?g_st=ic
Elevation:	8600
Distance to bird:	About 20 feet
Optical equipment:	Binoculars, naked eye
Weather:	Sunshine, 69 degrees
Light Conditions:	Dappled light, sunshine overhead
Description: Size of bird:	Roughly robin sized - larger than downy or hairy woodpeckers
(Description:) Basic Shape:
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Completely red head, solid black back with white chest, solid black on tail
(Description:) Bill Type:	Large woodpecker bill
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Larger than downy and hairy spotted nearby. Solid - no patterns in the red, black or white color-blocking. Solid bright red head with solid white chest. Hopping and pecking away on a pine about 10 feet off the ground.
Song or call & method of delivery:
Behavior:	Hopping and pecking on trunk of pine tree
Habitat:	Mixed pine and aspen forest
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Downy and hairy woodpeckers spotted nearby - this was larger and with no patterns - solid blocks of red, black and white. Completely red head was immediately noticeable
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Have not seen this bird before, but I have seen many other woodpeckers. Complete red head was what drew my attention.
References consulted:	Merlin for photo reference.
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Casey Richardson
Observer's address:	1447 E 580 S
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	7/6/2023
Additional material:
Additional comments:	Found while on a horse ride from the corral nearby. A ride on the same path would go by the area where the bird was found. Very muddy on the hill where this was found.