Separating Yellow-bellied and Red-naped Sapsuckers

[SeEttaM .]

Both Red-naped and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers have been overwintering in Canon City for  some years and I have been following them every year.  Previously these were considered to be just east and west members of the same species so historical information on them in Colorado is fairly recent.  And we are learning more about separating them in the field. 

I have uploaded two photos onto my Birds and Nature blog of a sapsucker I recently identified as a female Yellow-bellied from viewing it from about 35-45 feet with my binoculars.  The photos on my blog are about what I saw with my binoculars.  See if you agree with that id.  I will post some super close-up photos tomorrow.

SeEtta Moss

Canon City

http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com