Red-breasted Sapsucker

Red-breasted Sapsucker
Red-breasted Sapsucker

This member of the woodpecker family drills tiny 1/4-inch holes in the bark of trees and licks up sap with their finely-bristled tongue. Not only do the sapsuckers enjoy this sweet delicacy, hummingbirds and other birds like Pine Siskins also enjoy the oozing sap. It's well-known that the Rufous Hummingbird, in particular, follows sapsuckers around during the day in order to feed on the newly-drilled sap wells. You will often find a Rufous Hummingbird nest located near the wells.

LIke other members of the woodpecker family, sapsuckers forage for insects by gleaning, probing, prying and tapping. They are also known to catch flying insects.