3rd Round

01-21-2010
Sturts --Accept

I'm staying with the 1st and 2nd round vote for the same reasons.

2-1-10
chuck trost--Reject, specific identification not established

Again, hybrids are quite possible, and I can't tell from the description.

12-10-2009
Dave Trochlell--Reject, specific identification not established

I'll offer the same comments as before.

4 February 2010
Weisse -- Reject, specific identification not established

Same Comments

3 February 2010
Hardy--Accept

Same comments as previous round.

12-26-2009
Darren Clark--Reject, specific identification not established

Same comments as previous

1-31-10
Carlisle--Accept

The extensive red, and the fact the observers are familiar with Red-naped and didn't consider this as a possibility, still has me thinking pure RBSA

1st Round

2nd Round

09-15-2009
Sturts--Accept

The description fit that of the Red-breasted and eliminated the Red-headed Woodpecker and other sapsuckers.

12-06-2009
Sturts--Accept

I've decided to stay with my first round decision and vote to accept. This is a difficult vote. Hybrids would be more likely be the ones to show up in Idaho.

However,
The only thing in the description that fits a hybrid is the mention that the red appeared not to come down as far as that of the illustration in Peterson's (1961) field guide. And there seemed to be more white on the back. Illustrations vary. If you look at Sibley, the red doesn't appear to come down as far at the illustration in Peterson and there is more white on the back.

The observer describes the very bright red head,neck and belly of the bird - no black feathers showing through. I'm far from being an expert on hybrids but to me description given doesn't fit that of a hybrid. One thing that impresses me is the observer doesn't say "it looks exactly like the illustration in the field guide." He gives us a good description and then noted differences between the illustration and what he was seeing. This being true, I thinking he would have noted black feathers among the red on the head,neck and breast.

09-18-2009
chuck trost--Reject, specific identification not established

I need further info to rule out a hybrid sapsucker. The fact that the red didn't extend so far down the breast, and the more contrasting black and white back make me suspicious.

11-19-2009
Chuck Trost--Reject, specific identification not established

Again, a hybrid bird cannot be eliminated by this description.

09-18-2009
Dave Trochlell--Reject, specific identification not established

The observer describes a bird that at least had Red-breasted Sapsucker genes, but doesn't eliminate the possibility of it being a RBSA X RNSA hybrid, which occasionally occur in Idaho.

010-11-2009
Dave Trochlell--Reject, specific identification not established

I'm still concerned about the possibility of a hybrid sapsucker with this report.

9/18/09
Cliff Weisse--Reject, specific identification not established

While the description suggests RBSA I'm not comfortable that hybrids with Red-naped can be eliminated.

10/8/09
Cliff Weisse--Reject, specific identification not established

same comments

21 September 2009
Hardy--Accept

Red breast, head and neck diagnostic.

6 November 2009
Hardy--Accept

I don't find that the "red on breast seemed not quite as extensive" as in the Peterson illustration is compelling evidence for hybridization, esp. after looking at the illustration. I don't think hybridization can be ruled out, but I see no good evidence for it in the description. There is no mention of striping on the head, or of black feathering across the breast, which would be clear signs of hybridization, yet the observer has carefully described black and white feathering on the sides and lower boundary of the cream belly.

10/05/2009
Darren Clark--Reject, specific identification not established

The plumage details listed do support Red-breasted Sapsucker, but we've had a few Red-breasted Sapsuckers reported in Idaho that have turned out to be hybrids and the plumage details listed don't rule out the possibility of a hybrid.

11/11/2009
Darren Clark--Reject, specific identification not established

I still don't feel that hybrids can be safely eliminated.

10-5-09
Carlisle--Accept

convincing description

10-30-09
Carlisle--Accept

while a picture would make me more comfortable, the fact that he describes 'parts all red' for comparison against Red-naped is very suggestive