Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

This woodpecker's unique drilling pattern creates sap wells that attract insects and other birds, making it a key player in forests across North America.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a small woodpecker with striking black and white plumage. Its back features a bold white stripe, while the underparts display a pale yellow wash. The head is marked with bold white and black stripes.

Males have a bright red crown and throat, while females have a red crown and brown throat. Juveniles resemble females but have overall browner plumage. Winter adults may show duller colors.

Size

Length

19cm to 22cm

Wingspan

34cm to 40cm

Weight

40g to 55g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black White Red

Secondary Colour

Yellow

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers inhabit deciduous and mixed forests across North America. Their breeding range extends from Alaska through Canada to the northeastern United States and the Appalachian Mountains.

During winter, they migrate to the southeastern United States, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean. In the United States, they are common in eastern forests during spring and fall migrations.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 3,500 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Boreal

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons