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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Wells

Posted on Jan 10, 2015

This Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) seems to have been fleeing the scene of the crime! Winter is a good time to walk around and keep your eyes open for signs of birds and other wildlife, like these tightly-packed wells skillfully drilled by the hundreds through the bark of trees – a Sapsucker signature. It seems like there have been more reports of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers visiting feeders than usual this winter, though I admit I do not have data to support that gut feeling. Have you had any at home?

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) in tree-0494

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) sap drill well holes-0498

Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation & Outreach Coordinator