Yellow-bellied Sapsucker juvenile? (2 Viewers)

[ShortyTheSpotter]

Hi!

I took the added picture on my favorite pond. I got really excited because the last time that bird got recorded in that area (at least via ebird) was two years ago (if I am right with my guess). The picture was taken in Chester County, PA.

I would identify it as a yellow-bellied Sapsucker juvenile. Although I am not sure about the juvenile, in my book the juvenile has no red on the tip of the head, but on the second picture it looks like to me some red on the head tip. Someone else mentioned to me that the bird looks pregnant, I don't know about that...

The pictures are not great but in this case it was just important for me to capture the bird to identify it.

best

 

[birdmeister]

I think it's a female due to red crown/cap (but not throat as in adult male). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, indeed.

 

[KC Foggin]

Yup! Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

 

[Butty]

Given the (apparently) mushy black plumage-pattern around head/chest, I should think this is a 1st-winter bird - and, given that, it may not (I'm guessing) yet be possible to sex it on chest colour. On that basis I'd call it an unsexable 1st-year.

 

[ShortyTheSpotter]

Thanks to all of you!
I am really happy that I was able to figure out what bird it is.

Just wondering why the bird is so "fluffy". Like someone mentioned to me "the Bird is maybe pregnant", I don't think thats the case, it's not the right season for that?! Do birds gain weight for the winter?

 

[Butty]

Ruffled feathers - for various reasons, the most obvious being temperature-control or aggression, etc.