Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - Sphyrapicus varius
This bird is a mid-sized woodpecker, breeding in Canada. It eats mostly arthropods, tree saps, fruits and nuts. A common species that, different to other woodpeckers in the area, migrates South in winter.
Common Names
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (en)
- Chupasavia norteño (es)
- Pic maculé (fr)
- Gelbbauch-Saftlecker (de)
How to Identify
Male and female have a red patch on the forehead. Male have additionally a red throat. The species is similar in appearance to the Hairy Woodpecker but lacks the red patch on the back of its head.
Where & When to Spot
The only time I spotted this bird happened in Park Mont-Royal, early spring.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
Surprise catch. Usually not very successful in spotting them, this one got close enough for a photo.
Park Mont-Royal - April 12, 2014
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS; 4.3-215.0 mm; Focal Length 179mm; Exposure 1/1000; Aperture f6.5; Iso 400;
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