Red-breasted Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus ruber ORDER: PICIFORMES FAMILY: PICIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

The Red-breasted Sapsucker is a denizen of the coniferous forests of the northern Pacific Coast, usually found at middle or lower elevations.

For complete information on this species, visit The Birds of North America Online.

Appearance

Woodpeckers

Juvenile similar, but head all dark brown.

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Sapsuckers are the only woodpeckers to have the vertical white stripe on the side.
Red-headed Woodpecker does not occur in same area, but has large white patch across base of wings.
Some Red-breasted Sapsuckers show black and white face pattern similar to Red-naped Sapsucker, but the red-breast will have red on tips of its feathers and less white on its back.
Female and juvenile Williamson's Sapsucker have pale brown heads that are paler than body, not darker like a juvenile Red-breasted Sapsucker.