Tag Archives: yellow bellied sapsucker nc

Yellow- bellied Sapsuckers at Brumley Nature Preserve in Chapel Hill, NC

By Sally Siko

Like many of you out there in the eastern US this week, I’ve been stuck inside over the past few days due to rain and then extra chilly weather.
It’s been driving me nuts to stay cooped up indoors for so long!
Finally, I had an opportunity to get outside today to go birding with a guest at the Brumley Nature Preserve.



It was a balmy 21 degrees *lol!* when we got started but despite the cold we did manage to find and photograph several interesting species of birds including this Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
I really enjoyed getting this series of shots as that bright winter blue sky contrasted perfectly with the black, white, yellow and red plumage of this beautiful little woodpecker.



Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are found in varying numbers from our mountains to the coast throughout the year.
While this bird was busy gorging himself on wild persimmon fruit (check out his messy bill lol) usually they are spotted (errr heard) pecking loudly on the trunks of trees.
But why are they constantly hammering their beaks into the tree trunks?
The clue is actually wrapped up in their name. It’s all about that sweet, sweet sap flow!
These little guys will move up hastily up and down trees to drill a series of wells in the trunks to drink the sap that oozes forth. Often returning to the same tree on a regular basis, the Yellow -bellied Sapsucker’s elaborate systems of sap wells are maintained daily to ensure sap production.
Boasting a legit honey-badger-don’t-care attitude, these feisty woodpeckers will defend their wells from all kinds of sap-stealing animals and birds, including other sapsuckers. They also may be found happily raiding both hummingbird and suet feeders alike in our own backyards with the same energy.
Isn’t he marvelous?

Photos by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding on my mighty 50MP monster, the @canonusa #5Ds

Yellow-bellied sapsucker at Raven Rock Park, Lillington N.C.

Hiking in the woods at Raven Rock State Park and heard a familiar knocking sound echoing through the trees. I gripped my camera a little tighter and slowed my walk while looking up into the canopy to try and find the source of the noise.
With the wind blowing the leaves around, it’s difficult to spot the movement of birds in between the branches.
Then the knocking noise sounded again and I was able to hone in on its source, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker!
I love these birds 🙂 Although they are a relatively common species of woodpecker here in N.C., I don’t get to see them as often as I’d like. Usually it’s the sound of their pecking on the trees that announces their presence instead of a good look.



But why are they constantly hammering their beaks into the tree trunks?
The clue is actually wrapped up in their name. It’s all for that sweet, sweet sap 🙂
Sapsuckers move up and down trees to drill a series of wells in the trunks to drink the sap that oozes forth. 
Often returning to the same tree on a regular basis, the Yellow -bellied Sapsucker’s elaborate systems of sap wells are maintained daily to ensure sap production.
These feisty woodpeckers will defend their wells from all kinds of sap-stealing animals and birds, including other sapsuckers.
They also may be found happily raiding both hummingbird and suet feeders alike in our own backyards.

Photo by @sally_siko
Canon 5Ds