Birds Williamson's Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus)

[Doug Herr]

Rarely is the nest site of this mountain species so accessible. The nest cavity is at waist level at a picnic area near Truckee (Nevada County) California, and rarely is the light as perfect as it was this day (June 20 2022).

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 600 mm F4 GM OSS (SEL600F40GM) + 1.4X Teleconverter (SEL14TC)
• 840.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/250 sec
• ISO 400

female Williamson's Sapsucker

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 600 mm F4 GM OSS (SEL600F40GM) + 1.4X Teleconverter (SEL14TC)
• 840.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/500 sec
• ISO 500

male Williamson's Sapsucker​

 

[Unframed Dave]

Beautiful images, an ignorant question maybe, but do they suck sap?

 

[Jeff A]

That's not Motor Oil stuck to their beaks! Like I know the answer to this question!

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

Superb

 

[Deleted Member 5003]

 

[Doug Herr]

Beautiful images, an ignorant question maybe, but do they suck sap?

They drill tiny holes in the tree trunks where sap collects, which attracts their primary food, ants.

 

[Unframed Dave]

They drill tiny holes in the tree trunks where sap collects, which attracts their primary food, ants.

Thank you.