Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Scientific name:	Sphyrapicus varius
Date:	12/23/2023
Time:	3:30 PM
Length of time observed:	1 minute total
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Female
Location:	Virgin
County:	Washington
Latilong:	37.2014955, -113.1859126
Elevation:	3,600 ft
Distance to bird:	~50-60 ft
Optical equipment:	8x42 binoculars and 500 mm lens
Weather:	clear, low 50s
Light Conditions:	good
Description: Size of bird:	mid-sized woodpecker
(Description:) Basic Shape:	black/white/gray
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	thick, straight
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Bold black and white striped head: black crown, black eyeline, white stripe extending from bill to underparts, white throat with black border, including black upper-breast bib. No red on nape, throat, or crown. Large white stripe along folded wing. Pale (yellow-tinged) belly, gray sides/flanks. Mottled black and white back with extensive white, forming a pattern of two somewhat intermingled/messy white rows. Black and white tail. The apparent fully black crown was a surprise which I ve never seen on this species, but this is a known variation of a female YBSA. Observed during Silver Reef Christmas Bird Count. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	Silent
Behavior:	First seen in flight, then found near top of a large pecan tree. Drumming and actively foraging on trunk. Active movements and height made it difficult to photograph.
Habitat:	Neighborhood forest, including many large pecan and apple trees, plus other large deciduous and conifer trees nearby.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Dryobates Woodpeckers (HAWO, DOWO, LBWO): Initial (partially obstructed) impression was a female of one of these species due to the black and white striped head with no red. However, clearer views showed the previously described back pattern, white wing stripe, and black upper-breast bib enclosing a white throat, eliminating these species. Red-naped Sapsucker: Generally the most similar species, but eliminated due to lack of red on nape, crown, and throat. Back pattern typically shows more extensive black with two distinct white rows. Head pattern typically shows wider black stripes and narrower white stripes than the individual we observed. Red-naped X Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Hybrid): Eliminated for similar reasons as Red-naped. No sign of intermediate features.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: Fairly limited experience, but have seen at least once previously in Utah. Also, several observations from a trip to northern Wisconsin (most recent observation from 2019). Extensive experience with previously mentioned similar species, including several that were seen on the same day (including DOWO, LBWO, and RNSA).
References consulted:	Sibley App Birds of the World Online Macaulay Library (photos)
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Mike Schijf
Observer's address:	Ivins, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	John Schijf
Date prepared:	12/27/2023
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	I found a reference to Lawrence Kilham's 1976 paper, 'Nesting Behavior of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers,' with an interesting note on the black crowned YBSA variant. He apparently found that 12 out of 69 females at nest sites were "black polymorphs" (described as "having black or nearly black crowns.") I believe New Hampshire was the focus of this study.