Species BirdsYellow-bellied Sapsucker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

CommonBird
Illustration of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker drills neat rows of shallow holes — sap wells — in tree bark to feed on sap and the insects attracted to it, and hummingbirds often follow it to use the same wells. It is the only widely migratory woodpecker in eastern North America. The mewing call and irregular drumming pattern help distinguish it from other woodpeckers.

Habitat
Deciduous and mixed forests, orchards, and parks
Diet
Tree sap, insects, and occasional berries
How common
Common

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