The Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

Common Name: Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

Scientific Name: Sphyrapicus varius

Habitat: Breeds in young forests and along streams, especially in aspen and birch.

Range: The Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker lives in the Eastern United States and Central America.

Interesting Fact: The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker frequently uses human-produced materials to help in its territorial drumming. Street signs and metal chimney flashing amplify the irregular tapping of a territorial sapsucker. The sapsucker seems to suffer no ill effects of whacking its bill on metal, and a bird will return to a favorite sign day after day to pound out its Morse code-like message.

Source: Cornell, University (2009). Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker. Retrieved April 17, 2009, from All About Birds Web site: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-Bellied_Sapsucker/id

Picture Retrieved from: http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/atlas/Images/Glossary/Yellow-bellied_Sap_Sucker.jpeg