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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius

Flight call description A high, emphatic, two-syllabled "quay-er". In short flights also gives a vibrant, descending "gheer", and a husky, chattering rattle call.

 

Fig.1. New York April 22, 1990 (Lang Elliott).

"Quay-er" call from perched bird.

 

 

Fig.2. New York July 1993 (Lang Elliott).

"Gheer" call from perched bird.

 

 

Fig.3. New York June 19, 1989 (Lang Elliott).

Rattle call from bird in short flight.

 

Examples     Nocturnal

 

Similar species See Red-headed Woodpecker.

 

Behavior Primarily a nocturnal migrant but also engages in redetermined migration. Usually silent in long diurnal flights, but "quay-er" call has been documented in nocturnal migration.