12/19/2007

Yellow Bellied Sap Sucker - Word of the Week

We have a lot of woodpeckers living in our trees. One of the most common one's we see is a small black and white Downey woodpecker. The average less than six inches long and have a pretty short bill. One day earlier this year a larger version of that woodpecker started showing up at the suet feeder. The only woodpecker we can find that is close is a "Yellow Bellied Sap Sucker". Even if It wasn't one, I love that name. "You yellow bellied sap sucker, you" Sounds like a name that Yosemite Sam would call his horse after it threw him into a brier bush. The photo is courtesy of Barbara's fine eye and my Nikon D70.
MUD

5 comments:

  1. The larger than Downy woodpecker is called the Hairy woodpecker. The one in your picture is probably a Ladderback. They are more scarce and are not seen often. I have only had one come to the suet feeder. The Hairy ones are easy to recognise becaause they look like a giant Downy. The yellow bellied wood pecker has a red head and a yellow belly. They are as big as the flicker. We love to see the birds but get tired of fighting off the squirrels
    Love, Sue

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  2. We have consulted our bird books over this and aren't convinced that it is a ladder back, a Hairy or a Yellow Bellied Sap Sucker. The male of the two has a red head that covers the entire top of the head. This is the female (I Think) You would love the one that comes to our suet block with a punk rocker hair cut. We haven't decided what he is either. MUD

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  3. Anonymous10:54 AM

    The full red headed one is probably a male Red_bellied woodpecker which may also be the punk rocker. The one pictured looks like a female Yellow-bellied sap sucker. The punk rocker could be the male Yellow-bellied sap sucker or a male red-naped sapsucker or even a male ladderback with his crown displayed. Try to get a picture of him for positive identy.

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  4. Anonymous9:59 AM

    Good that the cat came back. pretty Tiger. I am not in Arizona this winter so I am missing my family of woodpeckers with their red spot on their head. Good to see you doing fine. Best wishes for Christmas, Tumbleweed.

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  5. Excellent photo! I've always loved that name, too:o)

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