Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius), Madera Canyon, Chuparosa Inn, Santa Cruz County

This hatch-year Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was observed by Laurens Halsey and George West at the Chuparosa Inn in Madera Canyon on 20 October. This bird alternated with at least one Red-naped Sapsucker at the same Sycamore, feeding at and boring more sap wells (once briefly present at the same time).  This bird was photographed by Laurens Halsey on 20 October 2008.

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are rare winter visitor to southeast Arizona.

Timing of molt is important in identifying juvenile sapsuckers.  Most juvenile Red-naped Sapsuckers complete molt before migration, particularly acquiring the adult head pattern and red nape very early, although they may retain juvenile breast feathers into the fall.  Juvenile Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers take much longer to molt and may not complete molt until early winter.  Therefore any mostly juvenile plumaged (particularly brownish headed) sapsuckers this time of year should be Yellow-bellied. 

In addition, juvenile Red-naped Sapsuckers have a more uniform, dark crown and acquire the red crown in a molt from front to back.  Juvenile Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers have a more mottled crown and acquire the red randomly across the entire crown. Therefore, the brown, yellowish, and red mottled crown shown in the second photograph also is characteristic of Yellow-bellied. 

A final clue to identification: the buffy-yellow and brown barring on the back of Red-naped usually forms two rows, this bird shows a fairly uniform pattern across the entire back (not too apparent in these photographs).

20 October 2008, photo by Laurens Halsey