©
1998 Walter Bauer, Sugar Land, Texas
Field
Marks: A medium sized woodpecker of deciduous and mixed forests,
orchards, and residential areas. Drills rows of small holes in bark, and then
feed on the sap and insects attracted to it. Has a mottled pattern, which makes
this bird difficult to see. Adults have a red crown, black and white stripes on
face, and barred back. There is a patch of white on the wing and white rumps are
conspicuous in flight. The underparts are pale yellow with a black crescent on
breast. The male has a red throat. The female has a white throat. Immature
yellow-bellied sapsuckers like this one have a brownish head and back. Voice:
It's voice is a whining churrr or skeeer.
Where found: From Alaska, Ontario, and
Newfoundland south to Northeast British Columbia, east North Dakota, Missouri,
Pennsylvania, and Connecticut for breeding range. Winters from Missouri, Ohio
Valley, and New Jersey south to the Gulf Coast and Florida.
Texas: Winters (Oct-Apr) throughout.
Summers locally in the high mountains of the Trans-Pecos (Davis Mts).
Habitat: Woodlands, farm groves, towns.
Nest: In hole in tree. Lays between 5-6 white eggs.