yellow-bellied sapsucker

bird

Also known as: Sphyrapicus varius

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Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

The yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) is a North American woodpecker known for drilling neat rows of holes in trees to access sap and catch insects. This bird, approximately 20 cm (8 inches) long, breeds in northern areas and migrates to regions as far as the West Indies and Central America. Both males and females of this species display distinctive head markings. The yellow-bellied sapsucker is also referred to as the yellow-bellied woodpecker. While most woodpeckers primarily eat insects, sapsuckers regularly consume tree sap, especially during certain seasons.123

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Birds
…example, the yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) drills evenly spaced rows of small holes in the bark of trees and then visits these “wells” to obtain sap and the insects it attracts. Various other birds, mammals, and insects benefit from the sap wells too.
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…example, the yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) drills evenly spaced rows of small holes in the bark of trees and then visits these “wells” to obtain sap and the insects it attracts. Various other birds, mammals, and insects benefit from the sap wells too.
Read More