How does the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker's plumage differ from the Red-breasted Sapsucker's heavy barring?
Answer
It has heavy black-and-white barring across the back and flanks.
Plumage serves as a primary visual distinction between the closely related sapsucker species. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (*S. varius*) is characterized by significant visual patterning, specifically heavy black-and-white barring across its back and flanks, alongside possessing a visible white wing patch. This pattern contrasts sharply with the Red-breasted Sapsucker (*S. ruber*), which is predominantly covered in red coloration across its head, breast, and upper belly, notably lacking the extensive barring seen in the *varius* species.
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