???????? X Sphyrapicus ruber Red-breasted Sapsucker
Red-breasted Sapsuckers hybridize more often with Red-naped Sapsuckers S. nuchalis.
However, there has been some great thought and comment toward the possibility of this hybrid's parentage consisting of Red-breasted, but crossed with Yellow-bellied Sapsucker S. varius. This hybrid combination is less common in simple part because the the Yellow-bellied's eastern range compared to the former's far continental western range.
A beautiful bird, regardless. We had yet to see a Red-breasted ... hybrid, and certainly wonder where it fledged.
Experienced comment and thought continue to be welcome regarding parantage of this individual.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mLKvb_e1eJqe50S89gRX5ToFrhWayQkfknv_4LP7YbX7QuJqVM2cVnPV3HVos56W7wtn9FFgHXmG9fh0MsNkuU8RaqupyObWfosdVM_1YRgGWvbvM3TMh9lRExLMB-McpOK8VRuvR1Q/s640/IMG_4275tr.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRrcTyNPOdgabS-BvCC2DoImGpA1mFSP_wBoV0LorPOytIwleROd3hLMhvGRC1OdZVNqe9YfEEDmyxSsgT1aOjy3H9bxfuFCwaM3mtFeao6KutGighDQWDYaBShw1KKjTP4ZzHoOPVcs/s640/IMG_4251tr.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQkoqkEsunOuoujt9ZvBzFOODjoCt5qY_SWiC_XJM8h1TOVseO6Lj0L9t4qvTIZsbTrtjJE8yOervCF9AjjCVV8Y8KcKaX7tmsTvVH_NE4T9APrPcrSu1g9og6Cf4UaRZV7bxCwIFVJw/s640/IMG_4258tr.jpg)
I guess it is the right area for the two species to meet and...greet.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. Nice photo documentation.
Is this a fairly common sight around Big Bend? I read they have Northern flicker hybrids around Ohio and Oregon.
Laurence, Red-naped and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are definitely expected here in winter, but Red-breasted is a SERIOUSLY awesome bird for anywhere in the state! As for flickers, pure yellow-shafted is not something we ever really see out here, but red and reddish ones do tend to be the norm. What I do love about the region is that we have so many things to compare - Eastern v. Western Meadowlarks, Blue-gray vs. Black-capped Gnatcatchers, to name a few. It's always worth a second look at any slightly different bird out here!
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