Sphyrapicus varius
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, *Sphyrapicus varius*, is a medium-sized migratory woodpecker renowned for its unique foraging strategy of drilling sap wells. Adults typically measure 7.5-8.3 inches (19-21 cm) in length, with a wingspan of 13.4-15.0 inches (34-38 cm) and weigh between 1.4-2.2 oz (40-62 g). Distinctive field marks include a black and white barred back, prominent white stripe on the folded wing, streaky flanks, and a characteristic red crown. Males boast a vibrant red throat, whil...
Found in deciduous or mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, preferring young to mature stands with ample birch, maple, or aspen. Breeds at higher elevations in its southern range and winters in a variety of forest types at lower elevations.
Primarily feeds on tree sap, particularly from birch, maple, and aspen, supplemented with insects attracted to the sap (especially ants), other arthropods gleaned from bark, and various fruits and berries.
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are diurnal, spending their days methodically establishing and revisiting sap wells. Their distinctive foraging involves drilling horizontal rows of shallow holes in tree bark, then returning to lap up the exuded sap and any trapped insects. During the breeding season, m...
The breeding range of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker extends across the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska, through the Great Lakes region, northeastern United States, and south along the Appalachian Mountains to northern Georgia. During the fall, they undertake a lengthy migration, often moving o...
Least Concern
- The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker's name is a bit of a misnomer; they don't suck sap, but rather use their brush-tipped tongues to lap it up. - Their unique sap wells serve as a crucial food source for many other forest creatures, including hummingbirds, insects, and even bats, making them a 'keysto...