Red-naped Sapsucker Bird Facts (Sphyrapicus nuchalis)

The Red-naped Sapsucker is a striking woodpecker with a black back, white rump, and distinctive red patches on its head. Its underparts are pale whitish-yellow with dark barring, displaying a bold white wing stripe when perched.

Males have a red crown, nape, and throat, while females have a red crown and nape but a white chin and throat, sometimes a small reddish patch. Juveniles resemble adults but have duller, brownish plumage and less defined markings.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Red-naped Sapsucker can be found in Mountain habitats.

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

Red-naped Sapsuckers inhabit coniferous and deciduous forests across western North America, from British Columbia to northern Mexico. They show a preference for aspen groves and mixed woodlands, often near water sources.

During the breeding season, they are found in higher-elevation forests. In winter, they migrate to lower elevations and more southern regions, including parts of the southwestern United States and Mexico.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Red-naped 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

Canada Guatemala Mexico

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

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-naped Sapsucker demonstrates high agility, adeptly manoeuvring on tree trunks and branches. Their ability to cling to vertical surfaces, make short hops whilst searching for food, and precisely drill sap wells indicates exceptional dexterity and body control.

Strength

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

Whilst not exceptionally strong compared to larger birds, Red-naped Sapsuckers possess sufficient strength to excavate nest cavities in trees and drill sap wells. Their ability to drum rapidly on tree trunks for communication also suggests moderate strength for their size.

Adaptability

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

These woodpeckers show good adaptability, inhabiting various forest types from coniferous to deciduous, and across a wide elevation range up to 2,900 metres. Their ability to switch between sap, insects, and fruits in their diet further demonstrates their adaptiveness to changing conditions.

Aggressiveness

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

Red-naped Sapsuckers are not particularly aggressive birds. They are generally solitary or found in pairs, and whilst they defend territories during breeding season, they don't exhibit notably aggressive behaviour compared to many other bird species.

Endurance

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

Their short-distance migratory behaviour, combined with the physical demands of their feeding technique (continuous drilling and sap-lapping), suggests good endurance. The ability to inhabit high-elevation environments also indicates a respectable level of stamina.

Red-naped Sapsuckers primarily feed on tree sap, which they obtain by drilling holes in tree bark. They also consume insects, especially those attracted to the sap wells they create.

Fruits and berries supplement their diet, particularly in fall and winter when sap is less available, as well as aspen buds in spring.

Red-naped Sapsuckers are known for their systematic drilling of sap wells in trees, creating rows of small holes to feed on sap and insects attracted to it.

They are generally solitary but may form loose flocks during migration. These birds often cling to tree trunks, moving in short hops as they search for food.

Red-naped Sapsuckers have a variety of vocalizations. Their most common call is a nasal, cat-like 'mew' or 'meah.'

During courtship and territorial displays, they produce a rapid drumming sound on resonant tree trunks or branches, creating a distinctive 'rattle' that echoes through the forest.

Breeding season for Red-naped Sapsuckers typically begins in late spring. Pairs form monogamous bonds and often return to the same nesting area year after year.

These woodpeckers excavate new nest cavities each year, primarily in aspen or other softwood trees. The female lays 3-7 white eggs in the cavity lined with wood chips.

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

The Red-naped Sapsucker typically lives for 2 to 3 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 4.9 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-naped Sapsuckers face threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and climate change.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting mature forests and maintaining diverse tree species in their range, which is crucial for their feeding and nesting requirements.

Look for neat rows of small holes on tree trunks, indicating sapsucker activity
Listen for their distinctive 'mew' call or rapid drumming on trees
Search for them in aspen and coniferous forests, especially near water sources
Observe trees with fresh sap flows, as sapsuckers often return to these sites

Main predators include hawks, owls, and tree-climbing mammals such as squirrels and weasels. Snakes may also prey on eggs and nestlings.

Red-naped Sapsuckers create sap wells that benefit many other species, including hummingbirds and insects.
They have specially adapted tongues with brush-like tips to efficiently collect sap from their wells.
These woodpeckers play a crucial role in creating nesting cavities that are later used by other bird species.

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What attracts Red-naped Sapsuckers?

Trees that are favored by red-naped sapsuckers for feeding and nesting include aspen, birch, pine, or juniper. Berry trees and bushes also offer good feeding opportunities, and in winter, they may be attracted by a well-stocked suet feeder.

Visual Identification

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Size

Colours

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Distribution

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Distribution Map

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Bird Attributes Explained

Attribute Categories:

Understanding the Ratings:

Agility

Strength

Adaptability

Aggressiveness

Endurance

Diet

Behaviour

Vocalisation

Nesting & Breeding

Lifespan

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Population Data

Rarity Index

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Family:

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What attracts Red-naped Sapsuckers?

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Red-breasted Sapsucker

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