The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker breeds across much of Canada but winters in the southeastern United States and Mexico. On my recent visit to New Jersey on the East Coast, I was fortunate enough to come across this handsome male (females have a white throat). These sapsuckers drill horizontal rows of holes into the bark of trees and then revisit the wells throughout the day to drink the sap that has filled them or eat the small insects attracted to the sweet liquid.
I spent several hours waiting to get pictures of this sapsucker. Whenever it was off visiting other trees in the area, there was a Downy Woodpecker--one of its picid cousins--that would fly (sneak?) in to pick up a quick, easy meal! (See the next picture I hope to post.)
