Woodpeckers

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius

Family Picidae (Woodpeckers)

Size: 8.5"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Woodlands, swamps, scrub

The sapsuckers are so named for their habit of drilling rows of pits in tree bark, then returning to eat the sap that emerges and the insects that come to investigate. They will also fly-catch and eat berries. The yellow-bellied sapsucker is medium-size with pied black-and-white plumage and barring across the back. The head is boldly patterned black and white with a red crown and red chin (white in females). The belly is unbarred and pale yellow, while the surrounding flanks are white with black barring. In flight there is a distinct white patch on the upper wing. The adult male is illustrated.