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woodpeckers tumbler ridge BC Canada (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter janha
- Start date
Andy Hartley
Well-known member
The first one looks like a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius), not too sure about the second.
MariettaBirder
Well-known member
Based on location, I'd say its a juvenile Red-napped. The only other sapsucker with a white eyebrow is the Yellow-bellied, but it shouldn't be that far west.
Andy Hartley
Well-known member
I've jut had a quick look and at Flatbed Falls to the south of Tumbler Ridge they have Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
Could be Red-napped but don't rule out Yelow-bellied on location.
Andy
Could be Red-napped but don't rule out Yelow-bellied on location.
Andy
Andy Hartley
Well-known member
Could the second be a juvenile yellow-bellied?
MLoyko
d[-_-]b
No, it would still show the distinct thick white stripe on the wing that the bird in pic 1 shows.
Both are Sapsucker with #1 being a Yellow-bellied and #2 being something I'm not sure of.
james holdsworth
Consulting Biologist
Just a caution [on the 2nd bird], this bird may well have the white lateral stripe hidden by the overlapping breast feathers......I see this happen all the time.
Also, I have seen a few juveniles where the white stripe is very reduced, often broken or very much slimmer than expected.
Also, I have seen a few juveniles where the white stripe is very reduced, often broken or very much slimmer than expected.
I think you are right. I would personally leave both photos unidentified since there is so much overlap in characteristics between the two (and also the possibility of hybrids); though some western birders with more experience with this problem might be able to help us out.
Just looking at Sibley's, it could be--red-naped juvenile looks to have a blacker back typically. There is a timing difference in the molt of the two; if these photos were taken yesterday, that would suggest YB since RN molts sooner. But EXIF indicates juvenile photo was taken in mid-september.
Best,
Jim
Hi Matt,
Both YBS and RNS show a thick white stripe. The white stripe just seems to be hidden by feathers in shot #2--as James suggests. I don't see that anyone has advanced a compelling reason for #1 being a YBS rather than RNS.
Best,
Jim
cavan wood
Well-known member
Not sure exactly where tumbler ridge is, but both birds have an all dark cap suggesting red-naped rather than yellow-bellied, and as Jim says, very difficult to tell apart. Certainly both are juvenile sapsuckers.
Scott
Scott
Last edited:
MLoyko
d[-_-]b
Ah ok, when I looked through my books I didn't see the thick white on the other sapsucker but I see you are right now. Sorry for giving off false information, excuse anything I said.
MLoyko
d[-_-]b
True that Niels, it's a learning experience :t:
james holdsworth
Consulting Biologist
Don't think so. There looks to be some red feathering on the crown [as some YB types show] and there is too much facial pattern showing for Willies.
