Sure-Fire Sapsucker Feeder (1 Viewer)

Last winter when I wasn't having any luck attracting the Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers to my suet feeders I created my own "sap feeder" that these woodies coulsn't seem to resist. First I took a small plastic grain feeder from a hog house that was being bulldozed. Then I took a dremel tool and drilled 20-30 small holes in the bottom of the feeder. When I put the new feeder up it took about a week or so until I had my first customer...but after that there was no stopping 'em! I used grape jelly in my feeder but any jelly should work. Right now my dad has the camera but later I will take pictures of the feeder and post them here.

Does anyone else have any good tips for attracting these birds? I finally got them introduced to my suet feeder but later a Red-bellied Woodpecker showed up and chased the Sapsuckers away...

Sounds very interesting :-O I haven't had to much luck with them either maybe this will work in Canada to

Audubob said:

Last winter when I wasn't having any luck attracting the Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers to my suet feeders I created my own "sap feeder" that these woodies coulsn't seem to resist....
Does anyone else have any good tips for attracting these birds?...

Click to expand...

Sure do. I call it Austrian Pine (sarcasm laced with truth).
We have about a half dozen Austrian Pines that we planted as 4 year seedlings 10 years ago. Every April, the feathered tommy gun migrates thru and riddles the trunks like Al Capone:C. They are interspersed amongst 50 or so other conifers, mostly Norway Spruce. The YBSS only wants the Austrians. Since the trees are fairly young and susceptible, it has been a project keeping up with the damage by sealing the holes with pruning paint. On the plus side, the hole size and patterns are amazing craftsmanship.