Bru,
Juvenile Red-Breasted Sapsuckers also have very brown heads, in fact, browner than the Yellow-Bellied, and they tend to be more black than white on the back. But anything is possible! Try to get a photo or a second pair of eyes on it if it returns.
-Rolan
Bru Helmboldt wrote:Hi Tweets,

I looked out at the backyard waterfall this morning and caught a new "yard
bird" having a bath. All field guides show the juvenile Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker with a brown - not red - head. They also show range maps that do
not include western Washington.

This guy had black wings with a nice white bar, and a laddered
black-and-white back (more black than white). The whole crown area was
_brown_, although it was wet, but definitely NOT red.

So do immature Red-breasted Sapsuckers change body plumage, then the head?
Or could this be a Yellow-bellied? Any comments?


bruce h

.. 0> Bru Helmboldt "tHe cold bumBler"
.. _/_)_ duvalltweet at hotmail.com
.. / Redmond, Washington, USA
.. 47 40' 14" N, 122 01' 14" W
.. "Funny, I don't remember being absentminded!"
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Rolan Nelson
Burley, WA
rnbuffle at yahoo.com


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