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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius ORDER: PICIFORMES FAMILY: PICIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Photo

© Lang Elliott / CLO

Although most non-birders believe that the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a fictitious bird created just for the humorous name, in fact it is a widespread species of small woodpecker. Its habit of making shallow holes in trees to get sap is exploited by other bird species, and the sapsucker can be considered a "keystone" species, one whose existence is vital for the maintenance of a community.

Inside Birding
For complete information on this species, visit The Birds of North America Online.

Appearance

Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Medium-sized woodpecker.
  • White stripe running up side.
  • Messy black and whitish barring on back.

Male Description

Throat and crown completely red.

Female Description

Throat white or with only a few red feathers. Crown usually red, but may be completely black or with a few red feathers.

Immature Description

Juvenile similar to adult, but head markings obscured because of paleness, with black replaced with brownish.

Range Map Help

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Range Map
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Similar Species

  • Sapsuckers are the only woodpeckers to have the vertical white stripe on the side.
  • Red-naped Sapsucker very similar, but has red spot in white stripe across the back of the head and less white on back. Red throat of male yellow-bellied is separated from the white by a black border, but in red-naped male the black border is missing or is incomplete. Female red-naped has red throat with a broad black border, but has white chin and red on nape.