Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)

RANGE: Breeding range Yellow bellied sapsucker occurs across Canada, south coast to coast across the northern U.S., as far south as Georgia and the Appalachians. They migrate south to winter in the southern U.S., West Indies, Central America, and Panama.

HABITAT: Summer breeding habitat typical of Yellowbellied sapsuckers include; mixed conifer forests, Aspen stands, riparian areas, and woodlands near rivers.

NEST: A cavity nester, sapsuckers select hardwoods, for a nest cavity; aspen, cottonwood, alder, or birch is commonly used. Many times a tree infected with a heart rot will be selected as the core of the tree has been softened by the fungi and makes excavation easier. The cavity is lined with residual wood chips and 5-6 eggs are laid within the nest.

FOOD: Sapsuckers drill sap wells in tree trunks in evenly spaced rows or columns. They eat the sap, cambium, insects such as ants who are attracted to the sweet sap find themselves stuck in the stick mass. Sapsuckers also eat insects hidden in tree bark in the same manner as other woodpeckers, tree buds, and berries.

REFERENCES: Peterson.etal; Sibley et al; National Geographic Society. 1996. Field Guide to the Birds of North America. Second Edition. National Geographic Society, Washington DC.