Red-naped X Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber X Sphyrapicus nuchalis), Pine, AZ, Gila County

This presumed hybrid Red-naped X Red-breasted Sapsucker was discovered and photographed by Brian Ison on 28 November 2009.

Many sapsuckers with red on the breast that occur in Arizona in winter are hybrids.  This bird illustrates the challenges of distinguishing these hybrids from the southern race of Red-breasted Sapsucker (S. r. daggetti).  Johnson and Johnson (1985 - see here) provided a hybrid index for these birds.  However, this index is based on breeding plumage and Arizona birds are in nonbreeding plumage about which little is known.  This bird is difficult to place on the hybrid index.  The breast of this bird has little black which is near to the 0-1 on the hybrid index and is consistent with this being a pure S. r. daggetti.  However, the black tips can wear off and it is not clear if this bird is in worn or fresh plumage.  This bird also appears to have a fair amount of black on the face and nape, placing those characters nearer to a 4 on the hybrid index, more consistent with this bird being a hybrid.  Such birds are probably best called hybrids until more is known about the nonbreeding plumages of hybrid sapsuckers. 

28 November 2009, photo by Brian Ison

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