Williamson's Sapsucker -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 9 inches | Wingspan: 17 inches | Seasonality: Very rare visitor |
| ID Keys: Male black with white wing patch and rump, yellow belly, and thin white facial stripes. | ||
|
|
|
|
Williamson's Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus thyroideus
Williamson's Sapsuckers are generally found in the mountains of the western United States, and are only extremely rare visitors to South Dakota. The male and female of the species have strikingly different plumages, so much so that they were once thought to be different species.
Habitat: Found in mountainous conifer forests during the summer breeding season. Winters in lower-elevation pine and pine/oak forests.
Diet: Eats many insects and tree sap, and also feeds on fruits and berries.
Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota.
Song: Usually silent, although they have a loud harsh screech similar to that of a Red-tailed Hawk's.
Migrations: Summers throughout the mountains of the western United States. Most move southward along the Rockies for the winter, going as far as west-central Mexico. Some are semi-permanent residents, only moving to lower elevations in the winter.
Similar Species: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-naped Sapsucker
Feeders: Will attend feeders for suet, also nectar and sugar water.
Status: Numbers generally stable.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Williamson's Sapsucker
2) Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Williamson's Sapsucker
3) eNature.com: Williamson's Sapsucker
Photo Information: Photos courtesy of Bob Memmer.
Proud Member Of:
Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08