On a walk through the forest you might spot rows of shallow holes in tree bark. In the East, this is the work of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, an enterprising woodpecker that laps up the leaking sap and any trapped insects with its specialized, brush-tipped tongue.

There are four species of sapsucker in the world, and all of them are found in North America and Mexico. The four species of sapsuckers are Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Williamson’s Sapsuckers, Red-breasted Sapsuckers, and Red-naped Sapsuckers.

The sapsuckers are members of the woodpecker family and their diet is the sap they create by puncturing holes through the bark of trees in neat straight lines. The birds drink the sap and eat any insects that are attracted to the sap.

The members of this genus are slender birds with stiff tails and relatively long wings. Their typical pattern in flight is undulating, alternating between quick bursts of wing beats and short dips with wings tucked against the body.

Although its name sounds like a cartoonist's invention, the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker does exist. This species is common in the north and east, and is replaced by close relatives in the west. Quiet in winter, it becomes noisy in spring, with cat-like calls and staccato drumming.

The yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) is a medium-sized woodpecker that breeds in Canada and the northeastern United States.

Aug 26, 2024 · Meet the sapsuckers, tree sap eating members of the woodpecker family. Learn what to do if a sapsucker bird damages a tree.

Sapsuckers are a small, specialized group of woodpeckers found only in North America. The Yellow-bellied is the only one found in eastern North America; the other three species, including the Williamson's Sapsucker, inhabit the West.

In the East, this is the work of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, an enterprising woodpecker that laps up the leaking sap and any trapped insects with its specialized, brush-tipped tongue. Attired sharply in barred black-and-white, with a red cap and (in males) throat, they sit still on tree trunks for long intervals while feeding.

Feb 9, 2025 · Sapsuckers are some of the most fascinating birds you might spot in your backyard or while hiking through the forest. With their vibrant plumage and unique feeding habits, they’re full of surprises!