Loading...
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) is a widespread breeding species across the northeast United States and much of Canada. It winters in the southeast and parts of the mid west U.S. and much of Mexico. It does indeed have a yellowish belly from which it earns its common name, but this particular field character can be difficult to see at times. Sapsuckers drill rows of holes in trees then return later to feed on the sap which shows up in the holes. The female shown in the first two shots was working on some sap holes in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in February, 2006. The shots were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and fill flash.
The male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on the right was in McAllen, Hidalgo Co., Texas, in December, 2010. This image was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and an EF 800mm F/5.6 L IS lens. Note the many "sapsucker holes" visible on the tree trunk.
The male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in the next two shots was in eastern Travis Co., Texas, in January, 2011. These two shots were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and an EF 800mm F/5.6 L IS lens.
The female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in the next two shots was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in March, 2012.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
male
Southeast Metro Park,
Travis Co., Texas
22 December 2014
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
male
Southeast Metro Park,
Travis Co., Texas
22 December 2014