Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)

An uncommon and local breeder in the NC mountains, sapsuckers are found statewide in the winter.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
Edeburn Division Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
30 Mar 2023

Adult males show red throats

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
Edeburn Division Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
30 Mar 2023

Juvenal plumage

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
Durham Co., NC
10 Feb 2007
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
Durham Co., NC
10 Feb 2007

A hint of yellowish wash is visible on the belly.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
Chatham Co., NC
19 Jan 2006

Mature males have red caps and red throats. Photographed by hand-holding a Nikon CoolPix4500 up to one of the eyepieces of hand-held B&L Elite 10x42 binoculars.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
Durham Co., NC
24 Mar 2016
sapsucker holes in tulip tree Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
Weymouth Woods State Park
14 Mar 2007

Sapsuckers "drill" rows of holes in trees. The wounds cause sap to ooze out and the sapsuckers will eat the sap as well as various insects that get caught in the sap.

sapsucker holes in pecan tree Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) holes in a Pecan Tree (Carya illinoiensis)
Orange Co., NC
28 Sep 2008

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Created on ... February 18, 2007 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com