Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius, is a medium-sized woodpecker with a striking appearance. Males are adorned with a bright red forehead and throat, while females exhibit a more subdued red hue on the forehead and a white throat. Both sexes have a black and white striped face pattern and a distinctive yellow wash on the belly, giving rise to their common name.

Identification Tips

To identify this bird, look for the following features: a red forehead in males, a white stripe above the eye extending to the nape, a broad black stripe through the ear-coverts, and a white stripe from the nasal tufts to the side of the breast. The wings are black with a white panel on the medians and central greater-wing coverts. The bill is chisel-tipped, relatively short, and straight, ranging in color from slate to blackish.

Habitat

During the breeding season, the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is typically found in deciduous and mixed coniferous forests up to 2,000 meters in altitude. In the non-breeding season, it occupies a variety of forested habitats, including forest edges, open woodlands, and semi-open areas, as well as suburban locales with large trees.

Distribution

This species breeds across Canada, eastern Alaska, and the northeastern United States, wintering in the eastern United States, the West Indies, and Central America. It has been recorded as a rare vagrant in Ireland and Great Britain.

Behaviour

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is generally solitary when foraging but may join small groups in winter. It is known for its habit of drilling neat rows of holes in trees to feed on sap, insects, and cambium. It is also territorial, with territories centered around the nesting site.

Song & Calls

The male's breeding call is a nasal "neaaah" or "kwee-urk," while family groups communicate with softer "week week" or "wurp wurp" calls. Alarmed birds emit a soft mew, escalating in volume with the level of threat. Drumming on resonant surfaces is a form of long-distance communication.

Breeding

Nesting occurs in cavities excavated in live deciduous trees, often aspen with heart rot. Both sexes participate in nest building, with the male taking the lead. The bird lays a clutch of four to seven white eggs, with both parents sharing incubation duties.

Similar Species

The Red-naped Sapsucker can be distinguished by its red nape, while the Hairy Woodpecker lacks red on the crown or throat and has a blacker back. The Downy Woodpecker is similar to the Hairy but is significantly smaller.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists of arthropods, tree sap, fruits, and nuts. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker feeds on sap from various trees, including birch and maple, and consumes insects, particularly during the nesting season.

Conservation status

The IUCN lists the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker as Least Concern, with a large range and population. It is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the United States. Despite a decreasing population trend, it remains common within its range.