Subj : ES Picture of the Day 26  2022
To   : All
From : Dan Richter
Date : Fri Aug 26 2022 12:00:40

 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in North Carolina

   August 26, 2022

    PattiW_DSC02848 (005)

    PattiW_IMG_9459 (005)

   Photographer:  Patti Weeks

   Summary Author:  Patti Weeks

   The  Yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) is “one of the
   most migratory of woodpeckers,” as stated on the  audubon.org
   website. Thus, this male sapsucker, whose photo I took February 3,
   2022, on a  sugar maple tree in an eastern North Carolina arboretum,
   departed this spring for a breeding ground somewhere in the
   northeastern United States, eastern Alaska or Canada. The range of this
   sapsucker’s breeding territory has edged even further northward
   however, due to global warming. The  Yellow-bellied sapsucker’s
   winter territory includes the southern and southeastern United States,
   Mexico, Central America and the West Indies. Territories of the other
   sapsuckers (Red-napped, Red-breasted and Williamson’s) are further west
   in the U.S. and Canada.

   The sapsucker perches vertically on the tree trunk, propping itself
   with its tail, and drills holes in neat rows (as seen in the second
   photo on a  pecan tree.) It returns to the “ sapwells” to consume
   the sap as it oozes (inset is a close-up photo of oozing sapwells on a
   sugar maple). The moniker ‘sapsucker’ is misleading, as the bird
   actually sips the sap with hairlike structures on its tongue. Up to
   1,000 trees and woody plants have been identified as food sources for
   Yellow-bellied sapsuckers, but they prefer maple and  birch trees.
   They also feed on insects, fruit, berries and nuts. Sapsuckers are
   considered a “ keystone” species, providing a crucial role in the
   health of their surrounding ecological community.  Many other
   organisms are drawn to the sap, including bees, wasps, butterflies,
   squirrels, bats and other types of birds, particularly hummingbirds. In
   some areas, as many as 35 bird species have been reported to feed on
   the sap and the insects it attracts.

    Patti_inset

   The elevation of the Yellow-bellied sapsucker’s range can vary from
   10,000 ft. (3200 meters) to sea level. The Pitt County Arboretum here
   in Greenville, North Carolina is 56 ft (17 m) above sea level. Perhaps
   I will see this fella again, when it returns here to its wintering
   territory.


   Pitt County Arboretum, Greenville, North Carolina Coordinates: 35.6396,
   -77.3606

    Frozen Sap of a Yellow Birch Tree

    Harvesting Maple Syrup


   Categories:  _AnimalLinks |  Animals |  Trees & Shrubs |
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