I wish so much we could figure out if the the male and female Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers that are alternately coming in and out of garden almost daily are a pair, or just passing through. The past few days we have only seen the male, days prior to that it was the female. Is anyone else seeing these striking and very industrious beauties in their gardens?
For well over a year, our garden has been graced with the fascinating Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. The visits began with a male eating Pokeberries in December of 2023 and have continued intermittently through today.
A female was here for a day last week however, we have had so many Cedar Waxwings in the Dragon Lady Holly, they may have frightened her off. For the past three days, a male YBSS has been industriously revitalizing the sap wells created by the female last year. He is also meowing!! That’s right, the appropriately named bird for a cartoon (or a proper insult), makes a crinkly mewing sound!
Listen for the mews-
Photos to Help ID Male, Female, or Juvenile Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Male YBSS – Red cap and red throat
Female YBSS – note that she does not have a red throat
Juvenile YBSS -softly mottled brown
Male Sapsucker in the rain yesterday
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Timeline
Summer 2023 – Newly seeded Pokeberry bush grows six feet first summer (most likely the seed was deposited by a bird).
December 2023 – First ever male YBSS. Stays for several days eating Pokeberries.
March – May 2024 – Female YBSS created striking grid pattern of sap wells on both the Dragon Lady Holly and Magnolia soulangeana trees, concentrating her efforts much more on the Holly. She spends many weeks drinking the sap, digging more wells, and eating insects attracted to the sap flows. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds discover the sap wells.
Summer 2024 – Ruby-throated Hummingbirds daily drink nectar from the small pinkish whiteish flowers of the Pokeweed.
October -November 2024 – Female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker returns. She is drinking nectar and eating insects attracted to the sap wells every day, through November 17th.
November 12, 2024 – Both a juvenile and female at the DLHolly saplicks.
March 26, 2025 – female YBSS at the Holly tree. Flock of Cedar Waxwings may have frightened her off.
April 3rd, 4th, and 5th – Male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker drumming and drilling at the Dragon Lady Holly, crabapple, and Magnolia soulangeana. Mewing frequently.