Red-naped Sapsucker
My first randomly selected bird is the Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis). It breeds in the Rocky Mountains, ranging from the northern parts of New Mexico and Arizona through the western states and north into the Canadian Rockies. It winters south through Mexico and the northern parts of Central America. It is closely related to two other North American sapsucker species – the Red-breasted Sapsucker (S. ruber), found mostly along the Pacific coast, and the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (S. varius) that breeds across most of Canada and into the northern parts of the Great Lake states and New England, wintering in the southern half of the U.S. east of the Rockies. I’ve been fortunate to see all 3 species. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a common winter visitor in our yard and at our feeder.
What it looks like
The Red-naped Sapsucker is a small-to-medium sized woodpecker, larger than a Downy Woodpecker but smaller than a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Note the prominent red on the top of the head and the throat. The nape of the neck is also red (thus its name) but hard to see in this picture.
It has a black stripe along the side of its head bordered by white on the top and bottom. Its back is mostly black with yellowish tinges. Rump is white, undersides are buffy or yellow-tinged, and it has a large white wing-patch that looks like a bold white stripe along its sides when clinging to the side of a tree.
The male, shown here, has a solid red throat from chin to breast. The female shows less red with white on the chin and upper throat. With this side view you get a good look at the white wing patch.
Both of these pictures were taken in Rocky Mountain National Park on April 18, 2008. I worked in Ft. Collins, CO, from March through July that year and had several opportunities to visit the park during my time there.
What and how they eat
Sapsuckers create sap wells – shallow holes in trees that penetrate the outer bark to reach the underlying plant tissue. They target this tissue since it transfers sugars and other metabolic products between the leaves and roots. In early spring, sapsuckers focus mainly on conifers, tapping a tissue called xylem responsible for the upward flow of nutrients from root to leaves. As temperatures increase and deciduous trees begin to leaf out, the sap begins to flow from leaves to roots. Woodpeckers then switch their tactics and tap into a tissue called phloem responsible for the downward flow of sap. Xylem wells are characterized by a series of parallel circular holes, while phloem wells are rectangular in shape. In both cases, the wells surround the circumference of the tree trunk. A third pattern of holes made in offset rows may also be observed – these are exploratory sap wells.
Creating and maintaining this elaborate system of sap wells requires a significant investment in time and energy. As you might expect, sapsuckers aggressively defend these wells, both from other sapsuckers as well as other species trying to take advantage of the sapsucker’s hard work.
Sapsuckers are specialists at sap consumption. Their tongues are shorter than other woodpeckers, with stiff hairs on the end of the tongue that allows them to capture lots of sap. They also eat small insects such as ants or flies that get trapped in the wells. When feeding young, sapsucker parents will often capture an ant, take it to one of the wells, and dip it in sap before delivering the tasty morsel to its offspring.
Researchers currently think sapsuckers receive all of their water through the sap and other foods they consume. Studies have not documented them drinking from water sources.
Breeding behavior
Sapsuckers are monogamous breeders, with the pair bond maintained throughout the breeding season and into subsequent years as long as both survive. They are cavity nesters, excavating a new nest cavity each year. The males do most of the excavation, although occasionally both will work on nests separately to find the best location. Nest openings are somewhat oval, slightly higher (1.65″) than wide (1.5″). The nest cavity averages 4.1″ deep and 4.6″ wide. They create nests in both live and dead trees, seeming to prefer trees infected by heartwood decay since they are easier to excavate. Once excavation is complete, they lay 4-7 eggs, which hatch in about 2 weeks. Both parents feed the young in the nest until they fledge in about 3-4 weeks after hatching. They typically don’t have a second brood during the season, although they may renest if the first nest fails early in the season.
Similar species
Red-breasted Sapsucker
The very similar looking Red-breasted Sapsucker ranges throughout California, north through western Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia to Southeast Alaska. It’s the same size and shape as the Red-naped, but has an all red head except for a black spot in front of the eyes and white line from the lore (tiny feathers between eye and bill) to the nostrils. For the most part, the Red-breasted and Red-naped ranges do not overlap, so that helps with the ID. However, where the ranges abut the two species may interbreed.
This picture was taken on July 24, 2011, in Lassen National Park. Janet and I had a camping trip. There was so much snow that year, the campsite was covered by snow pack most of the summer and didn’t open until that weekend.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Yes, this is a real name of a bird. It’s the most widespread sapsucker in the U.S and the one familiar to most, either by name or sight. This picture shows the Yellow-bellied on one of our feeders at our house on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Note the difference in size compared to the smaller Downy Woodpecker.
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a regular winter visitor along the Atlantic coast, the lower Midwest and Southeast. It breeds throughout the northern Appalachian Mountains, around the Great Lakes, into most of the Canadian provinces except for British Columbia. This picture was taken on December 17, 2018 at our house, just outside of Easton, MD.
Williamson’s Sapsucker
This is one that I have not yet seen. The Williamson’s isn’t as closely related to the other three sapsucker species, and it looks quite a bit different. Its range largely overlaps with but is less extensive than the Red-naped Sapsucker’s range. I’d like to show you a picture, but I need to see one first. Once I arrange a trip to Arizona or New Mexico (and if I get lucky), maybe this can be added as a species in a future post.
Hope you enjoyed this first entry. Fifty-one more to come during the year. Next week’s entry? The Mew Gull. Until then, keep an eye out for our feathered friends, and may every bird you see bring you joy.