Feeding tree preference of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus varius) based on tree species and diameter.

Feeding tree preference for Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus varius) was examined on the basis of tree species and size (diameter at breast height) at the University of Michigan Biological Station in northern Michigan. We found that sap trees are not chosen on the basis of occurrence of each species in the plots sampled. Of the 131 trees sampled, eight Scotch Pines (Pinus sylvestris), one Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana), one Red Pine (Pinus resinosa), and one Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) were fed on by sapsuckers. Due to the wide range of diameters of feeding trees, tree size did not seem to have an effect on feeding tree preference.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/54749/1/3190.pdfDescription of 3190.pdf : Access restricted to on-site users at the U-M Biological Station