Red-breasted Sapsucker

The Red-breasted Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus ruber, presents itself as a medium-sized woodpecker, resplendent with a red head and upper chest. Its plumage is a tapestry of black across the back and wings, adorned with bars and a conspicuous white wing patch. The underparts are a stark contrast, with a white lower belly and rump.

Identification Tips

Adults can be identified by their vibrant red head and chest. The northern subspecies, S. r. ruber, is distinguished by yellow bars on the back and a yellow upper belly, while the southern subspecies, S. r. daggetti, features white bars and a paler belly. Both variants exhibit white barring on the wings.

Habitat

These sapsuckers are denizens of forests, showing a preference for old-growth stands rich with pine, hemlock, Douglas-fir, fir, and spruce. They require living trees which are essential for their sap-based diet.

Distribution

From the southeast of Alaska through to British Columbia, and down the Pacific Coast Ranges of Washington, Oregon, and northern California, the Red-breasted Sapsucker makes its home.

Behaviour

Territorial vocalizations are a symphony of chatter, squeals, and scream-like calls, complemented by the percussive drumming on various surfaces with their bills. These sounds serve dual purposes: to establish territory and to attract a mate.

Song & Calls

The Red-breasted Sapsucker's vocal repertoire includes a variety of chatters and squeals, as well as scream-like calls. They also engage in drumming, using their bills to create rhythmic sounds on surfaces.

Breeding

Come April or May, these birds commence the construction of their nest cavities in dead trees, favoring deciduous species. They produce a single brood per season, with the female laying 4-7 immaculate white eggs. Both parents are diligent in feeding the young, who fledge the nest at 23-28 days of age. The nest cavity is not reused in subsequent seasons.

Similar Species

While visually similar to other sapsuckers, such as the Red-naped and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, the Red-breasted Sapsucker can be distinguished by its unique coloration and distribution.

Diet and Feeding

The sapsucker's tongue is uniquely adapted with stiff hairs for sap collection. They drill methodical rows of holes in trees, returning later to consume the sap and any insects attracted to it. This feeding strategy can be detrimental to the trees over time.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List categorizes the Red-breasted Sapsucker as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant threats at present.