Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Overwinters in Michigan

Hi, Sarah ~ This is the first time I've ever seen this visitor in our backyard! Not the best pics, shot through a screen, but maybe the bird will return so I can get a few better ones next time. Would you agree with my identifying it as a female Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker? Are they somewhat uncommon in this area during the winter? We get a lot of Downy Woodpeckers, as well as Hairy and Red-bellied. I've also caught a glimpse of a Pileated Woodpecker in our yard! ~ Deb

Lucky!! Mid-Michigan is at the very edge of the Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers’ breeding ground. I usually see them only for a brief time in the spring right before the hummingbirds show up. Most migrate further north to nest in northern Michigan, across Canada and some of the northeastern states.

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is the only woodpecker in eastern North America that is migratory. In September, sapsuckers head south. Almost all leave the summer range and winter in the southeastern United States, the West Indies, and in the middle and high altitudes of Central America as far south as Panama. Females depart first and adult males last. Migration is primarily at night and often in flocks. Females typically travel the furthest south. But a few individuals might remain throughout the winter in mid-Michigan.

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius is a little larger than the Downy Woodpecker. Although named yellow-bellied, the light yellow feathers on the birds’ underside aren’t what most bird watchers will see first. They have black and white barring on the back, a wide white stripe on each black wing, a red crown, a black line through the eyes and a black bib. The males also have a red throat.


Image via Wikipedia

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

 They don’t suck sap but actually have a tongue that has a feathery edge to allow the birds to lap sap. Sap itself makes up only about 20% of the overall diet of this species, though at certain times, the figure can be 100%. Sapsuckers also consume insects, fruit, leaf buds, seeds and suet.

Other birds like the hummingbirds, kinglets, warblers, and waxwings can also take advantage of the sap wells that these woodpeckers drill, especially in the early spring before bugs and flower nectar are plentiful.

Last year there were 12 sightings of the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker in Michigan during the Great Backyard Bird Count. Click HERE to see those results. If you’re curious, a total of 117 species were reported in Michigan during the 2010 GBBC. Those results are HERE. 

This year’s GBBC is February 18-21, 2011. Click click HERE to learn how to participate.