What is it?
by Charlie Baugh
This bird does not fit well the descriptions for Red-breasted Sapsucker or even the description of the Northern variety in the Peterson guide. Actually it mentions hybridizing regularly with Red-naped Sapsucker too, but the whitish bill does not seem to fit that hybrid. I'd appreciate any comments as to your thoughts of what this is.
Olympus E-5
50-200mm plus 1.4 tc
283 FL 1/13 sec @ f 5.6
ISO 100
Large view provided.
Comments
6 commentsYou've discovered a new species.
Interesting and I posted it to rec.birds and hope to get some thoughts from the knowledgeable birders there.
The bill color seen here is glare - the true color is hinted at along the bottom edge.
The white wing patch is partially obscured by the feathers of the flank covering it - I see this happen with many other birds at times.
Thanks all for comments and if I get some interesting responses on rec.birds I'll post them.