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Breeding habitat Deciduous woodlands and their edges, especially groves of aspen and alder; includes humid coastal lowlands. Also found in mixed evergreen and deciduous forests, primarily aspen-pine associations. Conservation status The Red-breasted Sapsucker is of moderate conservation importance, primarily because of its limited range, low overall density, and association with mature forests of the Pacific Coast. The population in California appears to be declining, whereas those further north appear to be stable or increasing. Being a primary cavity nester, this species provides nest-sites for many other forest species, and understanding its relationship with forest fragmentation and silvicultural practices will be important for maintaining future populations. Description Adults: Distinctive markings of all birds include a red head, nape, throat and breast, a large white wing patch, and white rump. In northern birds, the black back is lightly speckled with yellow and the belly is yellow. Southern birds’ black back is heavily marked with white and the belly is pale. Also, southern birds show a duller head pattern; the moustachial stripe is longer than northern birds. Juvenile: The head, nape, and breast are dark brown or blackish with a wash of red. Wings and tail are checkered black and white. Vocalizations Drum: A burst of about five rapid taps followed by gradual slowing with occasional double taps. Calls: All calls and drum similar to Yellow-bellied and Red-naped sapsuckers. Contact call is a nasal squealing or mewing neeah ; on territory an emphatic QUEEah, generally lower and hoarser than Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Close-contact call a hoarse and uneven series of wik-a-wik-a notes. In flight, sometimes gives a nasal geert . Foraging strategy Drills wells or strips bark to produce sap, usually towards the top of a tree, either on the trunk or an upper branch. Feeds by licking the sap, also eats insects that are attracted to the sap. Generally works around a tree trunk in horizontal lines or a checkerboard pattern. Will also forage among fruiting bushes taking berries and seeds, also known to sally out and retrieve flying insects. Diet Sap extracted from various tree species, including cottonwood, willow, walnut, birch, oak, sycamore, mountain ash, pear, apple, peach, plum and apricot; occasionally redwoods. Consumes ants, which may dominate the diet during certain times of year, as well as wood-boring beetles and their larvae, other beetles, weevils, caddiceflies, aphids, various other flies, mites and spiders. Fruits include the berries of pepper trees, elderberries, dogwood, and occasionally poison oak. Behavior and displays Courtship Nesting Nest site: The nest cavity is often excavated in aspen, but are placed in whatever trees are abundant in their vicinity. At low elevation, prefers live deciduous tree (alder, cottonwood, aspen); at higher elevations fir, alder, or willow preferred. Deciduous snags are also used. Height: Usually below the first limb, 10-20 feet (3-6 meters) from the ground. Nest: No nest build, but wood chips from excavation remain in the bottom of the nest cavity. Eggs: 4-5 (occasionally 6-7) pure white eggs with little or no gloss. Incubation period: 14 days, shared by both parents. Nestling period: Male and female tend young, which leave nest 25-29 days after hatching. Fledgling period: Young spend several days crawling around their nest tree before they learn to fly, then remain with adults learning how to extract sap from trees. The parents feed the young fruit and insects during this time. Broods: No information. Cowbird Parasitism: Not known to occur. Notes |
California, Mexico. Some Red-breasted Sapsuckers are
migratory while others reside in a single area. Many in Canada and California spend the
summer at higher elevations and move to lower elevations for the winter. Some of the
sapsuckers seen during winter in coastal California breed east of the Sierras, while many
of the Red-breasted Sapsuckers in Washington and Oregon are year-round residents. 
