Songo Blue Skies

Monday, December 14, 2009

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sometimes the wild life I find in Brooklyn surprises me, especially when it turns up in my backyard. About a month ago I had an immature male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in my backyard.

So Saturday, after an extremely trying week teaching my 7th graders, I was standing in the backyard enjoying the sounds of morning. I said in my head, "I'd love to see another yellow-bellied sapsucker." On cue one came around the trunk of the tree. Wow I thought. Then I saw another one flitting above in the tree tops. The one that is pictured here appears to be a female and possibly an immature one. She has stayed around all weekend. My daughter saw her in the backyard this afternoon.
When I first saw her she pretty much stayed on the same tree trunk. She actually was quite still and low when I started taking pictures.

So I took a few dozen pictures and then left her alone to enjoy the sap.

What is interesting is that the females mostly migrate further south and the males migrate south but will be found further north. So whether she will stay around or head south at some point will be interesting to note. The trees in the back must have some yummy sap.














6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Cindy, Nice shots! Good to see you posting again.

Cindy said...

Thanks Steve, It is good to post again

Chris Kreussling (Flatbush Gardener) said...

I've seen Sapsuckers more than once in my many years in Brooklyn. Not a common sighting, but a cheering one.

The little Downies are most common. They're regular visitors to my garden.

Anonymous said...

In case I don’t have a chance to say it later, Merry Christmas Cindy!

A New England Life said...

Nice! I've been hoping one will show up at our peanut feeder like they did last year. So far no luck. Neat little birds!

Dawn Fine said...

Howdee Cindy..
they must have heard your thoughts..
soo nice!
Wishing you a Very Very Happy New Year!