Thursday, January 15, 2009

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

This past Sunday morning I was lucky to view my first Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ever. Not only one, but two!


(Because these photo's were taken through the glass door you may notice some lines or reflections)



Both Sapsuckers were immatures so I'm not sure if they were males or females. The first 3 photo's are of the same bird.







Then I noticed a little mid-air scuffle and was surprised to see a new Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was vying for a turn on the peanut feeder.



This one is larger with a more prominent white stripe running from the beak down the neck. Since then I haven't seen the smaller Sapsucker, only the larger one. They are quite skittish so I was lucky to get the shots I did. Everytime the see me they take off.

I am amazed how much the birds like the peanut feeder! Wish I had bought one long before now.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Our feeder birds are all skittish... not sure if it's just the time of the year or if that's their nature year round... These are some great shots, Sharon!

Hey, It's cold here now.. no snow, but brrrrr.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Kim said...

Okay you have now convinced me to go buy some shelled peanuts!! Congrats on your new bird at the feeder!! Wonderful pictures!

Alyson | New England Living said...

I really love the shots of the red berries behind the birds. It's all so beautiful!

Unknown said...

Sharon, more amazing pictures. Does Brent understand the talent which resides under his roof? And those peanuts look delicious!
xxooo

Rheba said...

Sharon, Thanks for the pictures! Roy is shaking his head saying "no more feeders!" So I will work on him just keep the pics coming please.....

Laura said...

Well, I'll be a yellow bellied sapsucker! I've always wanted to say that! I've never seen those birds either, and you got some awesome shots, as usual, Sharon! I'm sure they appreciated breakfast.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Your photos are great. A large group of birds flew up into the trees over my courtyard yesterday and had a party!! What a mess - and it is to cold to turn on the hose and clean it off. Love the birds, but oh my!

Dawn Fine said...

How very cool that you have the sapsuckers come to the feeder..I didn't know they went to feeders..I guess its the peanuts!
When I get back to North Carolina ..i will try to entice her sapsucker with a peanut feeder...
thanks for the tip

Jayne said...

They are such cool birds. I used to have them on my Bradford pear trees going around the trunk making holes and looking for insects.

Eve said...

Great job Sharon!!!!

Clark said...

Outstanding photos. Hope everyone is managing to stay warm up your way, and that includes the birds!

Mary said...

Beautiful birds! Sharon, I'd fall over if I saw a YBS on my nut feeder!

Mary said...

They are such beauties!

Anonymous said...

Nice!

A New England Life said...

We still have one YBS hanging around the feeders, a nice sight on a cold day.

All the uncommon birds seem to be sticking close in this harsh weather due to the plentiful food, and water in the bird bath.

Sharon

Kerri Farley said...

Oh My.....I have got to get a Peanut Feeder!! I LOVE these birds and have only seen them once in my life. How awesome for them to come to your feeder. AWESOME!

Kerri Farley said...

Oh My.....I have got to get a Peanut Feeder!! I LOVE these birds and have only seen them once in my life. How awesome for them to come to your feeder. AWESOME!

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