Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2025-61
| Common name: |
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker |
| Scientific name: | Sphyrapicus varius |
| Date: | 11/8/2025 |
| Time: | 4:50 PM |
| Length of time observed: | 10 min |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | juvenile |
| Sex: | female |
| Location: | Payson City Cemetery |
| County: | Utah |
| Latilong: | 40.05011 N, 111.71859 |
| Elevation: | 4,652 ft |
| Distance to bird: | 20-30 ft |
| Optical equipment: | binoculars, nikon p950 camera |
| Weather: | clear |
| Light Conditions: | Starting to get dusky - maybe 30 min or so from sunset |
| Description: Size of bird: | Like a Sapsucker |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Like a Sapsucker |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | messy black and white with some yellow wash, white throat, red cap |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | a Sapsucker bill |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Obvious Sapsucker. Messy pattern on the back with white spots and
markings (lacking longitudinal white lines of a red-naped), yellow wash
on back and front. Red cap. White throat. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | n/a |
| Behavior: | foraging on bare branches of deciduous trees, maybe ~15 feet up |
| Habitat: | conifer trees, maples, other deciduous trees, grassy plots |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Most similar would be Red-Naped Sapsucker. Back was messier than a RN. Back lacked longitudinal white lines of a RN, more just covered in spots and white markings. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Occasional sightings of rare Yellow-bellieds in southern Utah. Have seen several more when I lived in Indiana. |
| References consulted: | Sibley app. |
| Description from: |
Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Holden Green |
| Observer's address: | 80 S. 400 E. |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Jeff Cooper and KC Childs have both looked at my photos and confirmed it as a Yellow-bellied. |
| Date prepared: | 11-10-2025 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |