yellow-bellied sapsucker

noun

1. a woodpecker, Sphyrapicus varius, of eastern North America, having a red patch on the forehead and black and white plumage with a pale-yellow abdomen, and feeding on sap from trees.

Word History and Origins

Origin of yellow-bellied sapsucker¹

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

The yellow-bellied sapsucker knocks neat lines of holes in the trunks of trees, to the consternation of some gardeners, but the sap loss is minimal, and, besides, there’s nothing you can do about it.

From Washington Post

This white-throated sparrow, yellow-bellied sapsucker, magnolia warbler and their 10 companions are colored by spray paint, not feathers.

From New York Times

Sometimes he acted like the original yellow-bellied sapsucker.

From Literature

In a nod to the name, there is a small picture of a yellow-bellied sapsucker on the back wall, overshadowed by large Audubon prints on other walls.

From New York Times

As the yellow-bellied sapsucker is the only one found east of the Rocky Mountains, we shall speak only of him and his work.

From Project Gutenberg