Red-breasted Sapsucker Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesRed-breasted Sapsucker
Adult
Medium-sized woodpecker with a red head and breast and a white spot in front of the eye. A large vertical white patch is usually visible on the folded wing. Lacks black on the breast. Sexes alike.
© Grace Oliver / Macaulay LibraryWashington, April 27, 2017Juvenile
Juveniles are washed in brown with a darker back and a vertical white wing patch.
© Jody Wells / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, July 07, 2017Adult
Breeds in evergreen and deciduous forests.
© Peter Hawrylyshyn / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, June 06, 2017Adult
Drills a series of parallel rows to access tree sap. Note red head and breast and vertical white wing patch.
© Greg Gillson / Macaulay LibraryOregon, May 15, 2010Adult
Nests in holes in trees. Males and females look alike.
© Esme Rosen / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, June 14, 2013Adult
Drills series of parallel rows to access sap, which it laps up with it tongue.
© Paul Fenwick / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 07, 2017Similar SpeciesWilliamson's Sapsucker
Female
Female Williamson's Sapsuckers lack the vertical white wing patches that Red-breasted Sapsuckers have. They also have an unmarked tan head unlike Red-breasted Sapsuckers.
© Andrew Spencer / Macaulay LibraryColorado, May 24, 2016Similar SpeciesWilliamson's Sapsucker
Male
Male Williamson's Sapsuckers have a sold black back unlike male Red-breasted Sapsuckers. They also have less red on the head and breast than Red-breasted Sapsuckers.
© Chris Wood / Macaulay LibraryColorado, July 02, 2011Similar SpeciesRed-naped Sapsucker
Male
Red-naped Sapsuckers have less red on the head and breast than Red-breasted Sapsuckers.
© Mark Chavez / Macaulay LibraryColorado, June 30, 2017Similar SpeciesRed-naped Sapsucker
Juvenile
Juvenile Red-naped Sapsuckers are paler brown overall and have distinct stripes on the face unlike Red-breasted Sapsuckers.
© Bobby Dailey / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, July 10, 2017Similar SpeciesYellow-bellied Sapsucker
Male
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers have less red on the head than Red-breasted Sapsuckers and bold white head stripes. Note range differences.
© Margaret Dunson / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, May 25, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Woodpeckers(Order: Piciformes, Family: Picidae)
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