Yellow-bellied Sapsucker vs Western Tanager

In short

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Western Tanager are distinct in both appearance and behavior. The sapsucker is a woodpecker with a distinctive red crown and throat, while the tanager is a songbird with striking yellow and black plumage and a red head. They occupy different habitats, with the sapsucker found in forests east of the Rockies and the tanager in western coniferous forests.

Identification tips

• Red crown and throat: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
• Bright yellow body and red head: Male Western Tanager.
• Habitat: Sapsuckers in eastern forests, tanagers in western forests.
• Behavior: Sapsuckers tap on trees, tanagers are more hidden in foliage.

Size

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is slightly smaller and more compact than the Western Tanager.

Plumage

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has a red crown and throat, black and white barred back, and a yellowish belly. The Western Tanager male has bright yellow body plumage, black wings, and a red head, which is due to the rare pigment rhodoxanthin.

Behaviour

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are often seen tapping on tree trunks to feed on sap, while Western Tanagers are more sluggish and often stay hidden in foliage, feeding on insects and fruits.

Habitat

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are found in deciduous forests, particularly favoring aspens, while Western Tanagers are found in open coniferous and mixed woodlands in western North America.

Voice

The vocalizations of these species are not well-documented in the provided notes, but sapsuckers generally have a drumming sound, while tanagers have a more songbird-like call.