Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Scientific name:	Sphyrapicus varius
Date:	11-19-2023
Time:	4:45pm
Length of time observed:	30 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	Possible juvenile
Sex:	Possible male
Location:	Location Ivins Reservoir (Fire Lake Park)
County:	Utah [Washington]
Latilong:	37° 10' 51" North Latitude, 113° 42' 52" West Longitude
Elevation:	3,119 feet
Distance to bird:	20 ft
Optical equipment:	Nikon monarch binoculars 8x40, Nikon D500 with a 200-500mm lens
Weather:	Cloudy
Light Conditions:	At sunset, sun going down fast
Description: Size of bird:	Medium sized, approximately 7-8 inches
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Typical Picidae shape
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Darker back, lighter belly, with a distinct vertical white wing patch
(Description:) Bill Type:	Chisel-tipped
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	After spending a time with friends in Downtown St. George, around 3:30 pm, we were getting ready to drive back to Centerville, Utah. However, our plans took an unexpected turn when Kenny Frisch texted me of a recent sighting of a Red-breasted Sapsucker nearby. We weighed the pros and cons of making an impulsive detour for this sighting, with the main concern being an impending winter storm forecasted for the Cedar City area, which we would encounter on our way north on I-15. Despite the negatives, our excitement for the Red-breasted Sapsucker prevailed, and we decided to go for it. This was our first visit to Irins Reservoir. The sun was setting fast, but we were guided by a pin drop Kenny had provided for his sighting. However, after about 30 minutes of searching, there was no sign of any woodpeckers or the targeted Red-breasted Sapsucker. Suddenly, a woodpecker-like bird captured my attention as it flew towards us from across a nearby neighborhood. Confusion set in as this sapsucker did not match with our expectations for the Red-breasted species; it lacked the distinctive red head. Instead, white striping on its face suggested it belonged to the Sphyrapicus genus. It wasn't a Williamson's Sapsucker either, as it lacked the predominantly black head or back. Considering the location in Washington County, a Red-naped Sapsucker seemed the most plausible, but this bird lacked a red nape. Also of note, this sapsucker have an unbroken black stripe surrounding the throat feathers, sparking further speculation. To assist in identification, I took several photos and shared them with Kenny. He, in turn, consulted with Tim Avery and Mike Hearell, all of whom agreed that this might be a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. To a more detailed documentation, I took additional photos and recorded the distinctive "Me-ah" mewing calls, characterized by a descending pitch and a slurred, nasal sound. While identifying a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Utah presents challenges due to similar species and potential hybrids, a careful analysis of the photographic evidence and audio sonograms collectively pointed towards a pure Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Key pieces of evidence included the absence of red on the nape, unbroken black line around the throat feathers, a noticeable yellowish tint on the belly in some photos. Additionally, the recorded repetitive series of "Me-ah" mewing calls exhibited a consistent match with the Yellow-bellied variant in documented recordings in bird call databases. The tone and pattern on the sonogram better match with those of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker variant. Admittedly, the audio analysis is difficult due to the similarity of mew calls between the two species, but the collective assessment favors an identification of a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	Recorded mew calls using RecForgeII App.
Behavior:	Active, moving from tree to tree frequently. Flying in and out of the adjacent neighborhood.
Habitat:	Seen mostly in the same old cluster of cottonwoods that the Red-breasted sapsucker was attracted to as well as pine trees in the adjacent neighborhood.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	1) The male Williamson's Sapsucker was eliminated from consideration due to the absence of a black head and back. Similarly, females or juveniles were ruled out for lacking a facial white stripe. 2) The Red-breasted Sapsucker was dismissed as a possibility since it did not display a predominantly red head; juveniles were also excluded for not having a facial stripe. 3) The Red-naped Sapsucker was excluded based on the absence of a red nape. The unbroken black stripe surrounding the throat was noted, along with a noticeable yellow tint on the belly. 4) The presence of a white wing patch ruled out other expected woodpecker species. 5) While an obvious hybrid, such as the Red-naped Sapsucker x Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, was considered, it was dismissed due to the lack of visual photographic evidence suggesting a mix of plumage patterns between the two species.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Having lived in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Virginia for over 17 years, I am familiar with Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. During a recent visit to North Carolina in February 2023, I observed several Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. While I haven't encountered any sapsucker hybrids, in Utah I have spotted over 30 Red-naped Sapsuckers and four Williamson's Sapsuckers.
References consulted:	eBird, Peterson Field Guide to Bird Sounds, and consulted Kenny Frisch, Tim Avery, and Mike Hearell.
Description from:	Notes made later From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Colin Maguire
Observer's address:	1262 N Nola Circle, Centerville, Utah
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	12-3-23
Additional material:	Photos, audio file
Additional comments:	https://ebird.org/checklist/S154826739