Minimizing yellow-bellied sapsucker damage

Abstract

The yellow-bellied sapsucker is a migratory woodpecker that feeds on a wide variety of orchard, shade, and forest trees. Instead of drilling holes to find insects like other woodpeckers, sapsuckers drill holes in living trees to feed on sap and phloem tissues. Yellow and paper birches are their favorite summer food sources on their nesting grounds in Upper Michigan and northern Wisconsin. Hemlock, sugar maple, and other species are favorites in the spring.

Parent Publication

• Northern Hardwood Notes

Citation

Erdmann, Gayne G.; Peterson, Ralph M., Jr. 1992. Minimizing yellow-bellied sapsucker damage. In: Hutchinson, Jay G., ed. Northern hardwood notes. St. Paul, MN.: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station. 7.07