Red-naped Sapsucker

Red-naped Sapsucker, male

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

The Red-naped Sapsucker is a woodpecker of the lower elevations of the Rocky Mountains. It prefers to make sap wells in willow trees, but will use a variety of tree species.

Description

• Medium-sized woodpecker.
• White stripe running up side.
• Messy black and whitish barring on back.

• Size: 19-21 cm (7-8 in)
• Weight: 32-66 g (1.13-2.33 ounces)

Sex Differences

Female with white chin, male with red chin.

Sound

Call a harsh mewing "waah." Drumming a distinctive slow irregular tapping, easily imitated by tapping on a tree with a stick.

Conservation Status

Historically shot as an orchard pest; protected now. Populations appear stable, but forestry practices may affect abundance in particular areas.

Other Names

Pic à nuque rouge (French)
Chupasavia nuquirroja (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The Red-naped Sapsucker is closely related to the Yellow-bellied and Red-breasted sapsuckers. All three were formerly considered races of the yellow-bellied. The red-naped hybridizes where it comes in contact with the other two species, and birds intermediate in plumage are sometimes found.

• Sapsuckers do not suck sap, but are specialized for sipping it. Their tongues are shorter than those of other woodpeckers, and do not extend as far out. The tip of the tongue has small hair-like projections on it that help pick up the sap, much like a paintbrush holds paint.

• Sap wells made by sapsuckers attract other sap feeders, especially hummingbirds. Although the woodpecker may eat some insects that are attracted, others are treated as competitors and are chased away.

Sources used to construct this page:

Walters, E. L., E. H. Miller, and P. E. Lowther. 2002. Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber) and Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis). In The Birds of North America, No. 662 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.