Is it possible there is a family of YELLOWBELLIED SAPSUCKERS at the top of
White Pass (Leech Lake)? We spent a very hot weekend there and observed
what appeared to be a male and 2 fledglings in our campsite. The
"fledglings" were so designated because of their rocky landings,
half-hearted stabs at drumming, close following of the male, and near-miss
falls when one crowded the other.
We had Stokes, RTP, and Audubon field guides with us...the male had a
definite red forehead, red--brilliant in the sun--throat with black band
below, long white wing patch. Definitely no full red breast.
The other two were dark with some white patches on tail and wing, long
white patch on wing, no red forehead or throat.
All were present for long periods of time, several times each day. Seemed
to be drilling a bit, but mostly seemed to be eating--weak-ish stabs with
no drumming sound. At one point the three sat in one tree, fledglings
fluttering around a bit, for 40 minutes.
However, all 3 guides state these are not found here....any ideas what they
might have been if not YBS? We also saw what seemed most like an
orange-crowned warbler. Overall drab yellow with slight green tinge on
back.
Both of these birds are new to us and we'd like any help in making a
definite identification.
Nancie Willey
Centralia