January 9. The two photos below are the same bird I photographed on January 2.
A better photo at a better angle and one lousy photo that does give a better view of the back.
Sapsuckers at the Ajo Golf Course
January 12. This morning this sapsucker was found at the golf course. At first I
thought it was a pure Red-breasted Sapsucker, but the
photos show that it is more likely a hybrid Red-breasted x Red-naped
Sapsucker. The red does not extend onto the breast (although there
are some red feathers), there is black in the crown and a white malar stripe
that is showing through.
January 9. The two photos below are the same bird I photographed on January 2.
A better photo at a better angle and one lousy photo that does give a better
view of the back.
Photographed January 2, 2015. The three photos below
are of the same bird. There is very little red on the throat, nearly all white,
with a strong malar mark.
It does have a red nape, I wish I had better photos of the back. Either a
juvenile female Red-naped or possibly a hybrid Red-naped x Yellow-bellied.
Unlike the bird I've posted after this one, it has a well developed black breast
band.
Photographed December 29, 2014. The two photos below
are the same bird. This one is a female, most likely Red-naped (it does have a
red nape that can't be seen in these photos), but the lack of a black breast
band is odd. It is likely a juvenile that just hasn't developed a strong breast
band. The malar mark is not well developed either. Compare to the bird I posted
above.
