Welcome the yellow-bellied sapsucker back to the upper midwest. In Illinois again today we watched and listened to birds as we continued demolition. After a break I noticed this little guy making taps to lick sap up from this maple. The darker spot is wet from sap running down and every few seconds this bird's tongue flung out to lap some up. In the picture you can make out a little of the yellow belly but on some it almost appears neon yellow. This is a male with red head and red throat - female's throats are whitish yellow. Sapsuckers have created sapwells in over 1000 different woody plant species, although they prefer maples and birches just like we do. They usually drill sapwells in horizontal rows with a row every 6 inches to a foot up the trunk of the tree. Many insects, birds (especially hummingbirds), and mammals will come to a sapsucker tap for a sugary drink.With spring traveling northward about 17 miles a day, look for sapsuckers in Madison by the end of the week (They may have been in northern Illinois for a while already). Listen for mewing sounds, almost catlike, and these woodpeckers zooming from tree to tree.
Hey Tom and Anne! I work at ALNC part-time with Tom and I had to tell you how much I love the blog! I teach kindergarten and my kids are studying what happens in spring, so today we looked at your blog and they were fascinated by the pictures. It was a perfect way to discuss the changes they notice in springtime. So thanks!
ReplyDelete