Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2025-75
| Common name: |
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker |
| Scientific name: | Sphyrapicus varius |
| Date: | 12-20-25 |
| Time: | 4:00 p.m. |
| Length of time observed: | 15 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Juvenile |
| Sex: | Female |
| Location: | Jordan River - Rose Park Golf Course |
| County: | Salt Lake City |
| Latilong: | 40.803661,-111.934402 |
| Elevation: | ~4,200 ft |
| Distance to bird: | 2 to 5 meters |
| Optical equipment: | Leica Ultravid 8x42 HD, Canon R7 100-400 mm lens |
| Weather: | calm, 50 degrees |
| Light Conditions: | Good |
| Description: Size of bird: | ~8 inches |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Classic Woodpecker |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Brown, Black, White, Red |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Thin, Sharp - Pointed |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Towards the end of a pretty slow Salt Lake City Christmas Bird Count, we
came to section of the Jordan River along the Rose Park Golf Course with
tall trees and an understory with lots of berries. There was a large
mixed flock of birds, including Robins, Cedar Waxwings, Towhees etc. My
dad spotted a sapsucker, which took our group a few minutes to get on.
Immediately I noted it was still in juvenile plumage, very pale dingy
brown/black overall with a messy back, white throat. I struggle with the
red on sapsuckers with my colorblindness, so I was relying on photos,
Jack Skalicky and my dad to tell me if/where there was red on the bird.
The group noted no red on nape or throat, but with some red on the crown
(see photos). We spent the next 10-15 minutes following it and watching
it work the trunks of trees, trying to get additional photos. Juvi-plumaged
Sapsucker in late December heavily favor YBSA, but we needed to rule out
hybrid. I sent my photos to Bryant who I rely on for sapsucker ID, and
between Bryant and researching YBSA on Macaulay, juvi-female YBSA can
have some red on the crown. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None |
| Behavior: | Very active, flying from tree to tree and slowly creeping up trunks. |
| Habitat: | Riparian corridor on the Jordan River |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Juvi plumage in December eliminates RNSA
and RBSA due to molt timing Messy back pattern, no red on nape or intermediate traits eliminates hybrid I was confused by the red on the crown, as Sibley's says that male juvi YBSA can have red on crown and throat, but shows females as having white throat and brown crown. Further research shows that female juvi YBSA can have red in crown. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Sixth YBSA for Utah, I've seen many in the midwest. Lots of RNSA in Utah, RBSA in Western Nevada and California (one in Utah) |
| References consulted: | Bryant Olsen, Sibley's, Macaulay Library |
| Description from: |
From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Max Malmquist |
| Observer's address: | 2377 East Boyes Street, Holladay, UT |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Mike Malmquist, Jack Skalicky, Bill Newmark |
| Date prepared: | 12-22-25 |
| Additional material: |
Photos https://ebird.org/checklist/S289425219 |
| Additional comments: |