From Opus

Sphyrapicus thyroideus

Photo jvhigbee
Photo of male taken: Washington, USA.

Photo by SesG
Photo of adult female taken: SW Utah, USA.

[edit] Identification

Iridescent black head, back, sides and tail, white stripe behind the eye and a lower white stripe across each side of the head, red chin, bright yellow belly, black wings with large white patches. The female is completely different - black, pale yellow breast, brownish head with black streaking and fine barring on the back, breast and sides.

[edit] Distribution

Western North America, from southern British Columbia, Washington, and western Montana south to souther California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Uncommon in coastal areas.

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Habitat

Open forested areas, including conifers.

[edit] Behaviour

They excavate a new nesting cavity each year, sometimes reusing the same tree.

The diet includes sap, mainly from conifers; insects are the main food source during the nesting season; berries are eaten outside of the breeding period.

[edit] External Links