Red-breasted Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus ruber

This vibrant woodpecker drills neat rows of holes in trees, sipping sap and catching insects with its specialized tongue.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Red-breasted Sapsucker is a striking woodpecker with a vibrant red head and breast. Its back is primarily black with a yellow and white rump, while the wings display a distinctive white wing bar. The bird's underparts are pale with dark barring.

Both sexes have similar plumage, though males may have slightly brighter red coloration. Juveniles appear duller, with a brownish head and less defined markings.

Size

Length

19cm to 22cm

Wingspan

35cm to 40cm

Weight

50g to 80g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Red Black

Secondary Colour

White Yellow

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Red-breasted Sapsucker can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Red-breasted Sapsucker is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Red-breasted Sapsucker is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Red-breasted Sapsucker is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Red-breasted Sapsucker is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Red-breasted Sapsucker is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Red-breasted Sapsucker is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Red-breasted Sapsucker is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Red-breasted Sapsucker is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Red-breasted Sapsucker is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Red-breasted Sapsucker is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Red-breasted Sapsucker is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Red-breasted Sapsuckers inhabit coniferous and mixed forests along the Pacific coast of North America. Their range extends from southeastern Alaska through western Canada to California, with some populations in the interior western United States.

During winter, some birds move to lower elevations or slightly south, while others remain in their breeding areas year-round, particularly in milder coastal regions.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,900 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Red-breasted Sapsucker. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons