Home»Jasper Ridge Galleries»A Day at a Time: Individual Visits»9/28/2021 Is this Sapsucker using a Tool? Plus Tarantula, Courtships, and More»9/28/2021 Hybrid Sapsucker on Phaenopepla Tree

A hybrid Sapsucker forages on a dead Valley Oak at Jasper Ridge. A Sapsucker is rare at Jasper Ridge. Rarer still is a hybrid. Thanks to Emily Kim, Matthew Dodder, Casey Girard and other birders for the ID. Matthew Dodder: "I think it looks more like a hybrid (Red-naped X Red-breasted) due to the excessive red on the crown and face. A pure RNSA would show some black on the rear of the crown before red appears again on the nape." Casey Girard: "Looks like a hybrid, Red-breasted Red-naped. They seem to be becoming more frequent."

I include many photos here to help with the ID.