ExploreBirds

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus ruber

The Red-breasted Sapsucker is a colorful woodpecker with a bright red chest. It loves to drill holes in trees to drink the sweet sap and catch bugs. These birds are fun to watch as they hop around the trunks of trees!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Red-breasted Sapsucker has a distinctive vibrant red head and breast, contrasting with a barred black-and-white back. It features a prominent white stripe on its folded wing and a pale yellowish belly, making it visually distinct from other sapsuckers.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPiciformesFamilyPicidaeGenusSphyrapicus
Red-breasted Sapsucker
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgearboreal trait badgecolorful trait badge
Red-breasted Sapsucker

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Baby sapsuckers are fed a diet mostly of insects, not sap!

Other birds, like hummingbirds, also drink sap from their tree wells!

Their long tongue has a brush-like tip to slurp up tree sap quickly.

They drum on metal objects, like street signs, to find a mate!

Special abilities

Ability

Sap Well Engineer

Red-breasted Sapsucker can drill neat rows of tiny holes in trees because this creates 'sap wells' for them to drink sweet sap.

Ability

Insect Trap Setter

Red-breasted Sapsucker has sap wells that help them catch insects, as bugs get stuck in the sugary liquid.

Ability

Arboreal Anchor

Red-breasted Sapsucker has stiff tail feathers that help them brace against tree trunks while climbing and drilling.

Measurements & details

Length
20-22 cm
Wingspan
34-39 cm
Weight
0.043-0.061 kg
Lifespan
4-7 years
Top Speed
40 km/h
Clutch Size
4-7
Incubation
14-15 days
Migration Distance
1500 km

Diet & Feeding

They mainly drink sweet tree sap and eat insects caught in their sap wells.

Primary Foods

  • tree sap
  • ants
  • beetles
  • spiders
  • berries

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

depends on

Ponderosa Pine

Pinus ponderosa

Drills sap wells in its bark for food.

eats

Silvery Wood Ant

Formica argentea

Catches ants attracted to sap wells.

eaten by

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Is a prey item for this agile forest hawk.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Red-breasted Sapsucker?

20-22 cm

What is Red-breasted Sapsucker's wingspan?

34-39 cm

How much does Red-breasted Sapsucker weigh?

0.043-0.061 kg

How long does Red-breasted Sapsucker live?

4-7 years

How fast can Red-breasted Sapsucker move?

40 km/h

What does Red-breasted Sapsucker eat?

They mainly drink sweet tree sap and eat insects caught in their sap wells.

Where is Red-breasted Sapsucker usually found?

Forests

How does Red-breasted Sapsucker hunt?

Foraging

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Where to spot

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