UKBirds

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a medium-sized woodpecker found in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is part of the New World sapsucker genus Sphyrapicus, which is within the woodpecker family Picidae. The genus also includes the Red-naped Sapsucker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, and Williamson's Sapsucker.

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a mid-sized woodpecker, measuring 18-22 cm (7.1-8.7 in) in length, 34-40 cm (13-16 in) in wingspan and weighing from 40-63 g (1.4-2.2 oz). Adults are black on the back and wings with white bars; they have a black head with white lines down the side and a red forehead and crown, a yellow breast and upper belly, a white lower belly and rump and a black tail with a white central bar. Adult males have a red throat; females have a white throat.

They drum and give a cat-like call in spring to declare ownership of territory.