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.
Best time to see a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
The best time to see a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is September–February, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 45,843 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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