On 3/15 I posted seeing a young male "Yellow-bellied" Sapsucker at Grandview
Cemetery, Fort Collins (Larimer). I described it has having a red nape,
forecrown, and throat. Then there was discussion about it being probably the
same individual juvenile Yellow-bellied that has been present at the cemetery
since late last fall, presumption of molt adding color to this individual, and
about it leaving soon per the normal schedule of wintering Yellow-bellies.
Today, 3/18, while looking for this bird, some of my own words ("...red
nape...") hit me over the head. Considering the nape, which I didn't even hear
myself describe at the time because of being overly influenced by assumption
and anticipation, obviously this bird was not a typical Yellow-bellied, maybe a
different individual, and maybe a Red-naped. Somewhat in support of it being
the same wintering Yellow-bellied, however, I distinctly remember it having tan
and black back markings (giving it a "golden" or "dirty" look, not the rather
crisp white (or light gray) and black back of typical of Red-naped). A certain
small % of Yellow-bellies show a red nape, which may be what this bird was, and
the same individual as the wintering bird. Unfortunately, I did not think to
study the extent of black trim around the red throat patch. Other
possibilities for the 3/15 bird are hybrid Yellow-bellied X Red-naped, which
happens, and it being the same or different individual. Possibly it was a
young male Red-naped with a "dirtier" than normal back, and it being the same
of different individual. Syrapicaphiles unite! Larophiles can't have all the
fun with exasperating IDs.
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
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