Sapsuckers

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Piciformes
Family	Picidae
Genus	Sphyrapicus
Species	Sphyrapicus varius

Scientific Name

Sphyrapicus varius varius

Common Name

yellow-bellied sapsucker

Compiled by Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University:

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius (L.)
Red-naped Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus nuchalis Baird
Williamson's Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus thyroideus Cassin

Hosts

Many, but particularly pines, junipers, alder, willow and aspen.

Damage

Yellowbellied sapsucker damage.

All peck holes (called “sap wells”) in live tree trunk and branch bark and drink the resulting sap flow. Sap wells and other pecking injuries, which might be confused with boring insect exit holes, are usually just physical wounds which will heal over in time. Sap wells tend to occur in patterned rows, whereas insect emergence holes and holes made by woodpeckers preying on insects tend to occur at random. Occasionally, various stain and decay-causing fungi are introduced via sap wells and, in coniferous hosts, the wounds can attract attack by pitch-mass borer moths in the genus Dioryctria.

Many other species of birds, mammals, and insects, the majority considered desirable (for example hummingbirds), utilize sap wells as a food source.

All of the sapsuckers found in the region are medium-sized woodpeckers with a basic red, black and white color scheme. They have long, chisel-like bills and cling on the sides of trees, using their stiff tails as a brace. In both adult and immature plumages, sapsuckers are distinguished from other Colorado woodpeckers by the presence of a large white shoulder patch.

Life History and Habits

All sapsuckers are usually migratory in the region. Red-naped and Williamson's sapsuckers are present in the mountains from May through October. The yellow-bellied sapsucker is a winter species in the region, usually restricted to lower elevations.

All three sapsuckers utilize trees in the same manner. They drill characteristic 1/4" x 1/4" rows of holes to encourage sap flow. These are revisited on a daily basis and particularly productive wells are reworked along their top edge to allow sustained flow. Such reworking also results in enlargement of the wound. Long-term activity of this sort produces distinctive rectangles in the bark that reveal the outer wood, and in severe cases can effectively girdle branches or trunks, causing foliage discoloration and dieback.

The Williamson's sapsucker is fond of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir. The red-naped sapsucker particularly utilizes willow and aspen. The yellow-bellied shows a preference for ornamental Scots, Austrian, and ponderosa pines. All can drill many other tree species on occasion (e.g., Siberian elm, black walnut, Russian olive, juniper, eastern redcedar, maples, American linden, fruit trees, etc).

Management

Only rarely is sapsucker damage to live trees seriously damaging. In the great majority of cases their activities should be tolerated and appreciated as mostly beneficial. These birds are protected by law and as such cannot be shot or trapped. Most legal "controls" involve discouraging their presence or mechanical exclusion. Such things as owl decoys, flutters and mesh coverings over favored feeding areas have met with mixed success.

The information herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and that listing of commercial products, necessary to this guide, implies no endorsement by the authors or the Extension Services of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. Criticism of products or equipment not listed is neither implied nor intended. Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the Extension Services can assume no liability for the suggested use of chemicals contained herein. Pesticides must be applied legally complying with all label directions and precautions on the pesticide container and any supplemental labeling and rules of state and federal pesticide regulatory agencies. State rules and regulations and special pesticide use allowances may vary from state to state: contact your State Department of Agriculture for the rules, regulations and allowances applicable in your state and locality.