What do you see here? If the scene were in the darker shade that it was in real life, without this edited photo, you might simply see a tree. I never realized how much juvenile Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus varius) look like bark! I suppose that helps to give them a little privacy when they are drilling into it while feeding and in a stationary, somewhat vulnerable position for a prolonged period of time. In this case this migrant bird was moving around looking for something a little more suitable at a stopover site. Have you found a Sapsucker in your yard this month? So many birds have so many forms of camouflage…
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
