Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, like most woodpeckers, do not have a melodic song, but instead use a drum sequence to serve the purpose of a song. Their drumming is distinctive: it starts with a rapid burst of taps and then suddenly slows down. Often it's described as "tatatatatatat – tat – tat," where the opening is a quick roll and the finishing taps are more spaced. The pattern is uneven, usually one of the easiest woodpecker drums to recognize by rhythm.

Migratory in most of its range. Breeds from Canada and the northeastern/upper midwestern US, south through Appalachians. Winters in the southeastern US, as well as parts of Mexico and Central America. Some individuals winter in the northern US (coastal areas or where sap is available in mild winters, but most vacate freezing areas). Migration is in spring (March-April heading north) and fall (Sept-Oct heading south). During migration, they can turn up in any wooded area, even in well outside breeding range (like in states where they don't breed). In summer on breeding grounds they are quite territorial and stay near nest sites. In winter, they are more loosely territorial around productive feeding trees. The species does not typically remain year-round in one place except a few along the extreme southern breeding range that may not go far.

Deciduous and mixed forests, especially young forests or edges, often where birch, maple, aspen, or other sap-rich trees grow. Breeds in northern and montane forests of the eastern and central US and Canada, including aspen groves and beaver ponds with dead trees. In migration found in a variety of wooded habitats, even orchards and town parks. Winters in the southeastern US, West Indies, and Central America in woodlands, including pine forests, oak hammocks, and wooded swamps. Prefers areas with trees that can be tapped for sap (e.g., maples, hickories) and often near water. Common during migration in orchards or trees with high sugar content sap like pecan groves.

In spring, sapsuckers return to breeding woods and establish territories, often around a cluster of favored sap trees. They excavate nest cavities in decaying or soft wood (often aspen, birch, or pine). Both sexes work on the nest and raise the young, with eggs laid in late spring and chicks fledging by mid-summer. Throughout spring and summer, they maintain fresh sap wells to feed themselves, their mate, and later their young (supplementing with insects to feed nestlings). Come fall (September-October), they migrate out of northern areas. During migration and winter, they settle in suitable wooded habitats and drill new sap wells on different tree species (for instance, in the South they may tap oaks, pecans, or pines). They often remain on and defend a few productive "sap trees" throughout the winter. By late winter (February into March), as days lengthen, you may hear them begin territorial drumming even on wintering grounds. Hormonal changes prompt northward migration again in early spring, and the cycle repeats.

A medium-sized woodpecker with bold black-and-white patterning and touches of red. Both sexes have a black and white striped face and a long white wing stripe along the folded wing. Adult males have a bright red forehead and red throat, whereas females have a red forehead but a white (not red) throat. The chest is black, and the bird's flanks are light with extensive black mottling. Often there is a wash of pale yellow on the belly (hence the name, though this can be subtle). In flight, the wing shows a flashing white stripe. It perches upright on tree trunks, often remaining still for long periods near its sap wells.