Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber), McCormick Park, Pima County

This Red-breasted Sapsucker was discovered and photographed by Ken Kertell on 15 October 2011. This is presumably the same individual that wintered in this park the last two year.  Also photographed by Michael Lester 19 October 2011.

Casual transient and winter visitor to Arizona.  Care must be taken to separate them from hybrids with Red-naped Sapsucker.  Such hybrids are perhaps more common in Arizona than pure Red-breasted Sapsusckers.

Red head and breast lack underlying black nape-band and chest-band that hybrids with Red-naped Sapsuckers generally show.

15 October 2011, photo by Ken Kertell

19 October 2011, photos by Michael Lester

 

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