Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

In every particular similar to the last, with the patch of white on the back possibly a little larger. Habits just the same (not illustrated).

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER.

402. Sphyrapicus varius. 8½ inches.

This is one of the most handsomely marked of the family; they may be identified easily by the red crown and throat (female having white on the throat), each bordered by black, forming a wide breast band, with a band of white, black and white back of it. The under parts yellow. This species and the two following are the only real sapsuckers, a crime that is often attributed to the most useful of the family. While they without doubt will take some of the sap from trees, their food consists more of insect life, ants in particular.

Nest.—Is placed in a cavity of decayed trees. Four to seven glossy white eggs (.85 × .60).

RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER.

403. Sphyrapicus ruber. 8½ inches.

A Pacific coast bird from Lower California to Oregon. The entire head, neck and breast of this species is red, of varying shades in different individuals, from carmine to nearly a scarlet. The remainder of their plumage is similar to the above. Nesting habits the same.