Red-naped Sapsucker

The red-naped sapsucker, Sphyrapicus nuchalis, is a medium-sized woodpecker, distinguished by its striking plumage. Adults boast a black head adorned with a red forehead and a characteristic red patch on the nape. Their underparts are a contrast of white on the lower belly and rump, with a yellow breast and upper belly. The back and wings are black with white bars, and a prominent white wing patch is visible. Males and females can be differentiated by the color of their throat patch; males display a fully red throat, while females have a red lower throat with the upper part being white.

Identification Tips

When identifying the red-naped sapsucker, look for the unique combination of a red forehead, a red nape patch, and a white wing patch. The male's red throat and the female's partially red throat are also key identifiers. Their size ranges from 19 to 21 cm in length, and they weigh between 32 and 66 grams.

Habitat

These birds favor mixed forests in the Rocky Mountains and the Great Basin regions for their breeding grounds. They are cavity nesters, often selecting dead trees for their nests, which are subsequently reused by other cavity-nesting species.

Distribution

The red-naped sapsucker is a migratory species, moving southward and vacating higher elevations during the non-breeding season.

Behaviour

Red-naped sapsuckers live up to their name by drilling holes in trees to feed on sap and the insects attracted to it. They are also known to catch insects mid-flight and consume seeds and berries.

Breeding

Breeding season sees the red-naped sapsucker laying a clutch of 3 to 7 white eggs. The altricial young are born naked and helpless, requiring 12 to 13 days of incubation and another 25 to 29 days post-hatching before they are fledged and capable of flight.

Similar Species

While similar to the yellow-bellied sapsucker, the red-naped sapsucker can be distinguished by its red nape patch and differences in throat coloration. Hybrids between red-naped and red-breasted sapsuckers are common.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the red-naped sapsucker primarily consists of tree sap, insects, seeds, and berries. Their feeding behavior involves drilling sap wells into tree bark and consuming the sap and insects that visit these wells.

Conservation status

The red-naped sapsucker is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline or extinction.