hybrid Red-breasted X Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber X Sphyrapicus nuchalis), Lynx Lake, a cove on the east side of lake, Yavapai County

This probable hybrid Red-breasted X Red-naped Sapsucker was photographed by Eric Hough on 08 November 2009.  This is likely the same bird reported by David Moll on Nov. 5th, which he described as "S.r. daggetti".

Eric Comments:

"The bird appeared to have mostly Red-breasted traits, but due to a tiny dark smudge on the top of the nape and an apparent faint dark border between the red breast and yellow belly, I think it might be a hybrid rather than a pure Red-breasted. Looking at the index in the Johnson and Johnson (1985) article, I would say the bird ranged somewhere between Types 1-4."

This hybrid is regular in Arizona and is more common than pure Red-breasted Sapsucker.  All "red-headed" sapsuckers should be identified with care.  It is particularly important to look for black-tipped feathers at the border of the red and yellow on the breast as these are absent in pure Red-breasted. 

08 November 2009, photo by Eric Hough

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