Red-breasted Sapsucker Bird Facts (Sphyrapicus ruber)

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Mexico

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Canada United States of America

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Red-breasted Sapsucker demonstrates high agility through its ability to navigate forest environments, cling to tree trunks, and perform precise drilling movements. Its woodpecker adaptations allow for nimble manoeuvring amongst branches and swift flight patterns.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

While not exceptionally strong for its size, the Red-breasted Sapsucker possesses sufficient strength to excavate nest cavities and drill sap wells in tree bark. Its ability to drum rapidly on wood also indicates a moderate level of strength in its neck and head muscles.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

This species shows notable adaptability by inhabiting a wide elevation range from sea level to 2,900 metres. Its partial migratory behaviour and ability to thrive in various forest types, including coniferous and mixed woodlands, further demonstrate its adaptable nature.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Red-breasted Sapsuckers are not particularly aggressive birds. They maintain territories during breeding season and may display territorial behaviour through drumming, but they are generally solitary and do not exhibit high levels of aggression towards other species or conspecifics.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The endurance of Red-breasted Sapsuckers is evidenced by their ability to drill up to 20 holes per minute when creating sap wells, a task requiring sustained effort. Their partial migratory habits and ability to withstand varied climatic conditions also suggest a good level of endurance.

Red-breasted Sapsuckers primarily feed on tree sap, which they obtain by drilling holes in bark. They also consume insects, especially those attracted to their sap wells, and occasionally eat fruits and berries.

Their specialized tongues are shorter than those of other woodpeckers and specially adapted with barbed edges at the tip, which helps them to extract as much sap as possible.

Red-breasted Sapsuckers are known for their methodical drilling of sap wells in trees, creating rows of small holes. They feed on sap, and insects are attracted to these wells.

These birds are generally solitary but may form loose flocks during migration or in winter.

The Red-breasted Sapsucker's call is a distinctive, cat-like mewing sound, often transcribed as 'mew-aah' or 'waa-waa'.

During the breeding season, they produce a series of rhythmic drumming sounds on resonant wood, which serves as a territorial signal.

Breeding season for Red-breasted Sapsuckers typically begins in late April to early May. Pairs form monogamous bonds and often return to the same nesting area each year.

These woodpeckers excavate nest cavities in dead or diseased trees, preferring aspens, cottonwoods, or conifers. The female lays 4-7 white eggs in the unlined cavity.

Both parents share incubation duties for about 12-14 days. After hatching, nestlings remain in the cavity for approximately 25-29 days before fledging, with both parents providing care.

The Red-breasted Sapsucker typically lives for 2 to 3 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 4.8 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While currently listed as Least Concern, Red-breasted Sapsuckers face threats from habitat loss due to logging and urban development.

Conservation efforts focus on preserving mature forests and maintaining suitable nesting trees in managed woodlands.

Look for neat rows of small holes on tree trunks, a telltale sign of sapsucker activity
Listen for their distinctive cat-like mewing call
Observe deciduous and coniferous trees in western North American forests
Visit sap wells regularly, as these birds often return to the same feeding sites

Main predators include hawks, owls, and occasionally tree-climbing mammals such as martens and squirrels. Nest predators may include raccoons and snakes.

Red-breasted Sapsuckers create sap wells that benefit many other species, including hummingbirds and insects.
They have a symbiotic relationship with certain fungi, inadvertently spreading spores as they forage.
These woodpeckers can drill up to 20 holes per minute when creating sap wells.

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Do Red-breasted Sapsuckers go to bird feeders?

In yards with aspen, birch, or pine trees, red-breasted sapsuckers may be tempted to investigate hanging suet feeders and large nectar feeders.

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Do Red-breasted Sapsuckers go to bird feeders?

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