{"id":11130,"date":"2022-05-10T20:55:43","date_gmt":"2022-05-10T20:55:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=11130"},"modified":"2022-07-01T07:51:24","modified_gmt":"2022-07-01T12:51:24","slug":"sapsucker-vs-woodpecker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/sapsucker-vs-woodpecker\/","title":{"rendered":"Sapsucker Vs Woodpecker: How To Tell The Difference"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Knock-knock-knock; you hear a familiar sound coming from the trees in your yard. You may automatically think you\u2019re hearing a woodpecker, but did you know there are other birds that also hammer on trees? In this article, we\u2019ll compare the sapsucker vs. the woodpecker, discussing each type of bird in detail, their similarities and differences, and how to tell which one has taken up residence in your trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Sapsucker?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What
Sapsucker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A sapsucker is a type of bird found throughout much of North America, particularly the United States and Canada. There are four species of sapsucker; the most common and widespread is the yellow-bellied sapsucker, a migratory bird found mostly throughout the eastern half of North America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sapsuckers are considered tree pests; they can weaken trees, allow disease and decay to overtake them, and even kill them over time. They do this by hammering holes in the tree trunks to get to the sap inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sapsuckers eat tree sap, as their name suggests (their favorite trees being maple<\/a>, birch<\/a>, elm<\/a> and some oaks). They are known for creating horizontal rows of holes<\/a> in tree trunks in an effort to release more sap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They may enlarge these holes over time, and they often add additional holes to the initial rows they create. Girdling, or creating rows of holes that completely encircle the trunk, can cause serious damage to trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sapsuckers commonly target birch and maple trees, both of which produce a significant amount of sweet-tasting sap. They also like other trees as well, including spruce, hemlock, and some fruit trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sapsuckers tend to be about the size of a robin, perhaps slightly larger. They have long, pointed beaks, feet made for gripping the sides of tree trunks, and long tongues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sapsuckers have various colors and patterns depending on their species, but they commonly have brown, black, white, and yellowish feathers with red markings on the head. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out this video to learn more about the yellow-bellied sapsucker:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=OkyU36ymiJo<\/a>