Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Scientific name:	Sphyrapicus varius
Date:	03/08/25
Time:	12:10
Length of time observed:	3-5 mins
Number:	1
Age:	adult
Sex:	male
Location:	Sunbrook Golf course
County:
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	15-20 ft
Optical equipment:	Vortex 10x42
Weather:	full sun, 65 degrees, virtually no wind
Light Conditions:	bright
Description: Size of bird:	Medium sized woodpecker
(Description:) Basic Shape:	basic sapsucker shape.
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	overall black and white, red chin and crest, light yellow undersides.
(Description:) Bill Type:	long slender bill
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	While I was at Sunbrook Golf Course looking for a previously reported RSHA, I noticed a sapsucker foraging in the tree directly in front of me. Hoping it was a FOY RNSA, I watched it for roughly 3-5 mins until it flew across the golf course to a distant tree. in that time I noticed some key characteristics. This bird showed a crisp red chin, thickly bordered by black, with no red bleeding into that border. the nape on this individual was lacking any red, and the back showed more neatly patterned, and straight white on black streaking. this bird also showed faint yellow in the chest like any of the sapsucker species.
Song or call & method of delivery:	this bird was silent.
Behavior:	working up a seemingly foraging.
Habitat:	Densely wooded section of the golf course, surrounding a wash.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	RNSA; this species would show a messy patterned, white on black back, as well as little to no black border surrounding the red chin. RBSA: similarly to the RNSA, this species would not show a clean black border around the red chin. my bird had nowhere near enough red to be considered a RBSA. Sapsucker Hybrid: any hybrid should show red bleeding into the nape, or into the black border surrounding the chin.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I've seen two YBSA in Utah, but both in juvenile plumage. I've seen many RNSA.
References consulted:	Sibley, Ebird and Macauley library photos.
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	McKay Olson
Observer's address:
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	03/14/25
Additional material:
Additional comments:	Notes were written directly after observation while I waited and hoped for the RSHA.