Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius
Growing up when someone teased another kid of lacking courage, being afraid, they were often called "yellow-bellied". When I was a beginning birder, as a young man, I heard of and saw this species and had not to laugh at the name. First recalling the slang use of "yellow-bellied" as a derogatory teasing term as a kid, and then because having a yellow belly is not an identifying field mark for this species.
It the photo here you can actually see the yellowish hue to the belly of the bird, but that is very difficult to see in the field. The red chin, red crown, and bold white wing patch are much more notable.
I am sure that in the museum with a specimen in hand the yellow belly helped differentiate this species from the Red-naped and Red-breasted Sapsuckers that are the close relatives of this species in other parts of North America.
Still, I smile whenever I see this species, partly because of it's striking good looks, and part because of its name.
Like other sapsuckers this species drills many circles of sap holes in live trees, and returns to take insects that get caught in the sap that collects in the holes, so it really doesn't suck sap, but rather makes sap traps for insects.
Thanks for reading. Good birding and good day!
