How does the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker's feeding style contrast with its woodpecker relatives?

Farming tree sap through systematic drilling.

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker exhibits a highly specialized feeding strategy that distinguishes it significantly from most other woodpecker species. While its relatives typically focus their efforts on drilling into wood to excavate insects, such as grubs, hiding beneath the surface, the sapsucker engages in what is described as an almost agricultural pursuit centered around liquid sustenance. This involves the careful creation of holes designed not to extract solid food but to encourage the flow of tree sap, which it then consumes as its primary energy source. This preference for liquid carbohydrates dictates much of its behavior and movement throughout the year, setting it apart from wood-boring insectivores.