7 replies to this topic

[Hopsing129]

Another picture from the trip to UP of MI. It's got the big wing patch of a sapsucker but it's head looks like a Hairy WP. Both M and F YBSS have red on the head. The juvenile doesn't but it's head coloring is much more washed out. Looked at quite a few YBSS juvi pictures and none had the distinct black and white coloring. Help...again.

[birdbrain22]

Juvie YB Sapsucker.

[Melissa :)]

Juvie YB Sapsucker.

Seconded.

[GreatHorn]

Juvie YB Sapsucker.

Thirded.

[psweet]

I can see this as a Yellow-bellied, but I can't see it as a juvenile. Juvie Yellow-bellieds have a very protracted molt -- that's how we picked them out when they showed up in Colorado. A juvenile in July should have brown mottling on the head and upper back. I think this is an adult (or at least second year) female -- Pyle lists them as sometimes lacking the red on the crown. He doesn't say whether that's more likely in second year than later on, though.

[Hopsing129]

psweet thanks, hadn't seen that the females could be lacking the red coloration.

[psweet]

Sibley's doesn't seem to mention it, and I doubt that Nat Geo does either - Pyle's good for that sort of detail, even if it's not much use if you're out in the field.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

I agree with Psweet that it's not a juvie (I just saw a bunch in Maine last week and they were still very brown), but I can't say I've ever seen a female lacking the red...learn something new everyday!