Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius. Tree sap from neat rows of wells, plus insects caught at the wells.
Woodpeckers (Picidae)Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus varius
- Scientific name
- Sphyrapicus varius
- Length
- 7.1–8.7 in
- Weight
- 1.5–1.9 oz
- Nest
- Cavity in live aspen or birch with heart rot
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 4–5 eggs
- Incubation
- 10–13 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Black-and-white face stripes and red forehead
- Long white wing stripe
- Pale yellow wash on the belly
Voice
Mewing 'neaah'; irregular Morse-code drumming.
Diet and feeding
Tree sap from neat rows of wells, plus insects caught at the wells.
What do yellow-bellied sapsuckers eat? · Best feeder for yellow-bellied sapsuckers
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Winter visitor | — |
| Alaska | Summer breeder | June |
| Alberta | Summer breeder | June |
| Arkansas | Winter visitor | — |
| British Columbia | Summer breeder | June |
| Connecticut | Winter visitor | — |
| Delaware | Winter visitor | — |
| Florida | Winter visitor | — |
| Georgia | Winter visitor | — |
| Illinois | Winter visitor | — |
| Indiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Kansas | Winter visitor | — |
| Kentucky | Winter visitor | — |
| Louisiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Maine | Summer breeder | June |
| Manitoba | Summer breeder | June |
| Maryland | Winter visitor | — |
| Massachusetts | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Michigan | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Minnesota | Summer breeder | June |
| Mississippi | Winter visitor | — |
| Missouri | Winter visitor | — |
| New Brunswick | Summer breeder | June |
| New Hampshire | Summer breeder | June |
| New Jersey | Winter visitor | — |
| New York | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Summer breeder | June |
| North Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| Northwest Territories | Summer breeder | June |
| Nova Scotia | Summer breeder | June |
| Ohio | Winter visitor | — |
| Oklahoma | Winter visitor | — |
| Ontario | Summer breeder | June |
| Pennsylvania | Summer breeder | May–June |
| Prince Edward Island | Summer breeder | June |
| Quebec | Summer breeder | June |
| Rhode Island | Winter visitor | — |
| Saskatchewan | Summer breeder | June |
| South Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| Tennessee | Winter visitor | — |
| Texas | Winter visitor | — |
| Vermont | Summer breeder | June |
| Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| West Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| Wisconsin | Summer breeder | June |
| Yukon | Summer breeder | June |
Frequently asked
What do yellow-bellied sapsuckers eat?
Tree sap from neat rows of wells, plus insects caught at the wells. At feeders: suet.
How big is a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker?
7.1–8.7 in long and 1.5–1.9 oz.
Do yellow-bellied sapsuckers use birdhouses?
No. Cavity in live aspen or birch with heart rot.
Sources
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.