Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

Not a Warner Brothers cartoon character, but an actual bird.  The closely related Red-naped Sapsucker is very similar, but ranges are distinctly different.  As the name implies, Sapsuckers drill a series of wells in trees and drink the sap that oozes forth.  They are often quite important ecologically for a given habitat, as several other animal species use sapsucker wells for feeding.  Male Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are quite territorial, and can often be heard banging out their territorial drumming.  They've come to learn that metal signs and other metal objects can amplify the drumming sound, and thus individual birds may return to a given sign time and time again in order to reinforce their control over a territory.

Habitat: Can be found in nearly any kind of forest during migration.  Generally in deciduous to mixed forest in the summer.

Diet: Other than sap, eats insects attracted by their sap wells.  Also eats fruits and berries.

Behavior: While much of the diet may be tree sap, they also often glean insects from branches as do other woodpeckers.  They also may catch insects in mid-air. 

Nesting: June and July

Breeding Map: Breeding bird survey map

Song: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Song

Migration: While most woodpeckers in the United States are not know for long migration, the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is strongly migratory, wintering in the southeastern U.S. down through Central America, and summering in the northern U.S. and Canada.

Similar Species: Red-naped Sapsucker, Williamson's Sapsucker

Feeders: Fruit, will use hummingbird feeders for nectar, occasionally suet.

Status: Populations are generally stable and may be on the increase. 

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

2) Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

3) eNature.com: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Photo Information: July 2nd, 2006 -- Big Sioux Recreation Area near Brandon -- Terry L. Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Yellow-bellied Sapsucker photos.