Photo Credit: Marlene Cashen & Weeks Bay Reserve Foundation
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Sphyrapicus varius OTHER NAMES: Yellow-bellied
sap-lapper, red-throated sapsucker, sap-sipper, yellow-bellied
woodpecker. DESCRIPTION: The yellow-bellied sapsucker is a
medium size black and white colored woodpecker. It is easily
identified by a diagnostic narrow longitudinal wing stripe and
finely mottled back. This woodpecker is 7 to 9 inches in length
with a wing span reaching up to 16 inches. Weight can vary with
time of year but generally averages 1 ½ ounces. A yellowish
color adorns the belly (one feature that derives this woodpecker
its name) chest and back areas. The face of the yellow bellied
sapsucker has two white horizontal white stripes: one
originating at the eye and the other at the bill. The crown or
crest is red with black bordering. The male has a red colored
chin and throat but only white in the female. Both sexes have a
black bib across the upper part of breast. The rump in both
sexes is white. The wings have whit