Subject: [Fwd: RBA: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker]
Date: Oct 13 19:34:01 2001
From: Mike Patterson - celata at pacifier.com




Shawn Steinberg wrote:
>
> Hi Mike, Mike, Ryan, and Steve,
>
> You three are the only people on Tweeters I could remember off the top of my
> head. Please post this to Tweeters for me. I know this is only a marginally
> rare bird.
>
> RBA Yellow-bellied Sapsucker,
>
> Tweeters,
> While birding with OFO in Hood Park (I think that is the name, I'll correct
> by the morning if wrong) in Walla Walla County, Chuck Gates spotted a
> juvenile sapsucker in the deciduous trees. The bird was very active and
> moved around a lot and it took some time for us to track it down and get
> good looks at it. Eventually we did and the bird was a juvenile
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in heavy molt. Please note that because I have
> never seen one, I cannot rule out a hybrid, but after careful consideration,
> I do not believe the bird was a hybrid.
>
> Brief description:
> Obvious sapsucker
>
> Brownish-black overall
>
> Prominent white wingbar
>
> Distinct facial pattern with moustachial stripe and superciliary stripe
> (both white with intermediate blackish-brown) that curved on the lower part
> of the head a la YB Sap.
>
> Very small white dots on head
>
> Rufous-red wash on head and throat
>
> Light-yellowish wash on underside
>
> Overall the bird was very mottled with brown, white, and black being the
> main colors - this included the wings, back, and undersides.
>
> Sorry for the rushed post - I think I am the only one with email access
> before tomorrow. We still have a Boreal Owl to see tonight!
>
> Observers included Mike and Merry Lynn Denny, Paul Sullivan, Chuck Gates,
> Bing Wong, Diane Pettey, Patti Bernhardi, and myself, plus about two dozen
> other birders who I apologize for not mentioning.
>
> I have previously seen this bird in New York in August of 2000.
>
> Identification based upon plumage characteristics as well as the fact that
> Red-Naped Sapsuckers have departed and typically have molted about 6 weeks
> ago into full adult plumage (see Kaufman, Advanced Birding).
>
> I believe this is a first county record.
>
> Good birding and good luck,
> Shawn Steinberg
> Eugene, OR
> (from Whitman College)
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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--
Mike Patterson When I despair, I remember
Astoria, OR that all through history
celata at pacifier.com the way of truth and love have always won.
There have been tyrants, and murderers,
and for a time they can seem invincible,
but in the end they always fall.
Think of it...always.
- Mahatma Gandhi

http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/bird.html