Date: 11/5/25 8:33 pm From: Rita Colwell via groups.io <colwell.rita...> Subject: [southbaybirds] Help with sapsucker ID
On Monday at our house in Los Altos Hills I heard a call which Merlin identified as a Red-breasted Sapsucker. I tracked the bird down and saw that it was in fact not a RBSA (which I have seen many of over the years). It looked to be either a Red-naped or Yellow-bellied. I was unable to get photos then. On Tuesday, the bird showed up in mid-afternoon on the same tree and I took several bad pictures for which I must apologize.
The photos show the bird is definitely a male due to the solid red throat. The black submoustachial stripe is solid and uninterrupted as it extends around the throat patch to the black breast band. On the photo of the nape there appears to be no red at all and is considerably white.
My interpretation of what I saw and the photos is that it most likely is a Yellow-bellied.
Thanks,
Rita
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
