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Observations of American Marten (Martes americana) Feeding at Sap Wells of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus varius)
Hugo Kitching and Douglas C. Tozer

Northeastern Naturalist, Volume 17, Issue 2 (2010): 333–336

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Observations of American Marten (Martes americana) Feeding at Sap Wells of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus varius) Hugo Kitching1 and Douglas C. Tozer2,* Abstract - Martes americana (American Marten) is reported to eat a diverse diet, including mammals, invertebrates, and plants. Despite this variety, we found no reference to tree sap in its diet. Here, we describe two separate incidents of an American Marten feeding on sap from active sap wells made by Sphyrapicus varius L. (Yellow-bellied Sapsucker). To our knowledge, these are the first recorded observations of martens feeding on sap from sap wells. The diet of Martes americana Turton (American Marten, hereafter “marten”) is reported to be composed primarily of small mammals, especially voles (e.g., Clethrionomys gapperi Vigors [Southern Red-backed Vole]; Clark et al. 1987). The marten also eats a wide variety of other foods, including fish, bird eggs, carrion, and plant materials such as fruits, seeds, and leaves (Cumberland et al. 2001, Martin 1994, Zielinski et al. 1983). Despite this variety, we found no reference to tree sap in its diet. Some mammals access tree sap by chewing into the bark, such as Petaurus australis Shaw (Yellow-bellied Glider; Goldingay 1987), whereas others visit sap wells constructed by woodpeckers such as Sphyrapicus varius L. (Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; Foster and Tate 1966). Sap wells are collections of small, shallow holes drilled into the outer living tissues beneath a tree’s bark, where sap flow is greatest (Eberhardt 2000). The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is common throughout approximately 90% of the marten’s geographical range, where it is the only animal that routinely constructs sap wells (Clark et al. 1987, Walters et al. 2002). In the remainder of the marten’s range, three other sapsucker species occur (Winkler and Christie 2002). Therefore, energy-rich sap is widely available to martens because sapsuckers construct and maintain multiple sap wells throughout their 2–5 hectare territories (e.g., Walters et al. 2002; H. Kitching and D.C. Tozer, pers. observ.). In this paper, we describe two separate incidents of a marten feeding on sap at active sap wells made by Yellowbellied Sapsuckers. To our knowledge, these are the first-ever recorded observations of a marten feeding on sap from sap wells. Observations. Our observations occurred in Algonquin Provincial Park, central Ontario, Canada (45°37'N, 78°21'W) during a three-year study (2006–2008) measuring the impact of selective harvesting on the breeding ecology of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. The first incident occurred at 10:00 on 5 July 2006 in a mature hardwood forest, with the dominant tree species being Acer saccharum Marsh. (Sugar Maple), Fagus grandifolia Ehrh (American Beech), Tsuga canadensis L. (Eastern Hemlock), and Betula alleghaniens.is Britton (Yellow Birch). Attracted by the alarm calls (“waa” call, described in Walters et al. 2002) of a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, we observed a marten feeding at a sap well in a Sugar Maple located 35 m from a recently fledged sapsucker nest. The marten fed for approximately five minutes, dividing its time between licking the well itself, the bark immediately below the well, and the leaves onto which sap had dripped. While the marten was feeding, it was divebombed by a male sapsucker and mobbed by several songbirds that were presumably initially attracted by the sapsuckers’ scolding calls. Notes of the Northeastern Nat u ral ist, Issue 17/2, 2010 333 11574 Senio Avenue, Ottawa, ON K2C 1T8, Canada. 2Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Environmental Science Centre, 1600 West Bank Drive, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada. *Corresponding author - dtozer@trentu.ca. 334 Northeastern Naturalist Notes Vol. 17, No. 2 The second incident took place at 09:10 on 24 June 2008 in a mature aspen forest, the dominant tree species being Populus tremuloides Michx. (Trembling Aspen), Populus grandidentata Michx (Large-toothed Aspen), Betula papyrifera Marsh. (White Birch), and Acer rubrum L. (Red Maple). Like the first incident, we were attracted by alarm calls given by a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, where we observed a marten feeding at three sap wells in a Red Maple located 30 m from a sapsucker nest that contained noisy nestlings. The marten licked sap from the wells for 10 minutes, rarely taking a break, spending approximately 90 seconds at each well before climbing to the next. To access all of the wells’ surface area, the marten used its hind legs, feet, and tail to dangle from overhead branches. The feeding marten was mobbed from within 2 m by a male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and two Cyanocitta cristata L. (Blue Jay). The jays dive-bombed the marten so closely that they appeared to physically hit the marten. The sapsuckers resumed typical nestling-feeding behavior after the marten left the tree at 09:20. At 10:03, the same or another marten returned to the tree. It fed in the same manner as the marten previously observed in the tree, eliciting the same aggressive mobbing response from both the sapsuckers and the jays. At 10:11, the marten made its way to a second Red Maple, located 25 m from the first, where it also alternated between sap wells in the tree. Discussion. Researchers investigating the marten’s diet rely primarily on the physical remains of prey items in feces, precluding the possibility of detecting sap consumption (Cumberland et al. 2001). Sap from active wells can have sugar concentrations of 20–30% (g of sucrose/g of solution x 100%), potentially reaching higher levels with evaporation (Kilham 1964, Tate 1973). These sugars could be an important and easily accessible source of energy for martens. Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Gmelin (Red Squirrel) has also been observed making multiple trips to separate sap well trees on a single sapsucker territory (Kilham 1958), and Red Squirrels systematically tap trees on their own in order to drink evaporated sap (Heinrich 1992). Other mammals that feed directly on sap at sapsucker wells include: Tamias striatus L. (Eastern Chipmunk), Glaucomys sabrinus Shaw (Northern Flying Squirrel), and Erethizon dorsata L. (Porcupine) (Foster and Tate 1966). However, we witnessed sap-well feeding only twice in two different forest habitats over a three-year period. This infrequency suggests that sap consumption by martens may be opportunistic and uncommon, yet reflective of the wide dietary breadth of the species. In addition to sap, martens—like sapsuckers—may also visit sap wells to feed on the large numbers of insects attracted to the sap. Other mammals, such as the Red Squirrel, Northern Flying Squirrel, and bats (Myotis spp.), also feed on insects attracted to sap wells (Foster and Tate 1966). Insect remains are frequently found in marten scats during the warmer months of the year (2–43% of items; Bull 2000, Francis and Stephenson 1972, Goose and Hearn 2005, Martin 1994, Newby 1951, Weckwerth and Hawley 1962, Zielinski and Duncan 2004, Zielinski et al. 1983), and some of these insects may be obtained from sap wells. We are uncertain how the martens located the sap wells. Archilochus colubris L. (Ruby-throated Hummingbird) follows sapsuckers to their wells (Foster and Tate 1966, Lawrence 1967). Ursus americanus Pallus (American Black Bear), the major predator of sapsucker nests in our study area, primarily uses nestling begging calls to locate sapsucker nests, which are typically within 20–40 m of at least one active sap-well tree (Tozer et al. 2009; H. Kitching and D.C. Tozer, pers. observ.). It is possible that the martens we observed also used some or all of these 2010 Northeastern Naturalist Notes 335 cues to locate the sap wells. Alternatively, they might have initially been attracted to the area with the intent to prey on adult, nestling, or fledgling sapsuckers, then opportunistically took advantage of the sap wells. Although martens are too large to fit through a sapsucker nest entrance (Peck and James 1983, Peterson 1966) and they are not known to chew into sapsucker nests (Walters et al. 2002), the remains of nestling birds and adult woodpeckers occur in their scats (Bull 2000). Our observations show that sap from sapsucker wells occurs in the marten’s diet, adding to the wide diversity of food items used by the marten. Similarly, the occurrence of sap in the diets of other mammals may have been overlooked and deserves consideration. Whether martens use sap-well resources opportunistically or whether they visit sap wells regularly remains unknown. These observations help to further our understanding of the complex role that sap wells play in forest ecosystems. Acknowledgments. We thank Laurie Eberhardt, Njal Rollinson, Paul Gelok, and two anonymous reviewers for helpful comments that improved the paper. Funding and in-kind support was provided by Algonquin Forestry Authority, Bancroft- Minden Forest Co., Canadian Forest Service, Canadian Wildlife Service, Enhanced Forest Productivity Science Program, Mazinaw-Lanark Forest Inc., Natural Sciences and Engineering and Research Council of Canada, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ottawa Valley Forest Inc., Tembec Inc., Trent University, and Westwind Forest Stewardship. D.C. Tozer was supported by an Ontario Graduate Scholarship in science and technology. Literature Cited Bull, E. 2000. Seasonal and sexual differences in American Marten diet in Northern Oregon. Northwest Science 74:186–191. Clark, T.W., E. Anderson, C. Douglas, and M. Strickland. 1987. Martes americana. No. 289, In V. Hayssen (Ed.). Mammalian Species. American Society of Mammalogists, Lawrence, KS. Cumberland, R.E., J.A. Dempsey, and G.J. Forbes. 2001. Should diet be based on biomass? Importance of larger prey to the American Marten. 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