# Red-naped Sapsucker (*Sphyrapicus nuchalis*) The Red-naped Sapsucker is a special woodpecker with a bright red patch on its neck. It loves to drill holes in trees to drink sweet sap and catch bugs. These birds are known for their unique tapping sounds! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Red-naped Sapsucker](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Red-naped_sapsucker.jpg&width=800) Photo: Matt MacGillivray, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Red-naped_sapsucker.jpg) ## Appearance The Red-naped Sapsucker has a distinctive red patch on the back of its neck and forehead, a white stripe behind its eye, and a striking black-and-white barred back. A prominent white wing patch and yellowish belly help distinguish it from other woodpeckers. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Piciformes - **Family:** Picidae - **Genus:** Sphyrapicus ## Interesting facts - Other birds, like hummingbirds, often "steal" sips from sapsucker sap wells! - Sapsuckers are like tree dentists, drilling tiny, perfect holes for sap! - Their tongue is extra long and brushy, perfect for sipping sweet tree juice! - They travel thousands of kilometers each year, from Canada to Mexico! ## Special abilities - **Brush-tipped Tongue:** Red-naped Sapsucker has a brush-tipped tongue that helps them lap up sticky tree sap and tiny insects from their drilled wells. - **Vibrating Signals:** Red-naped Sapsucker can tap unique rhythmic patterns on trees because this helps them communicate territorial claims to other birds. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 19-21 cm - **Wingspan:** 33-38 cm - **Weight:** 0.032-0.06 kg - **Lifespan:** 7-10 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-7 - **Incubation:** 12-14 days - **Migration Distance:** 2000 km ## Diet & Feeding Red-naped Sapsuckers mainly drink tree sap and eat insects, enjoying a sweet and buggy meal! - **Primary Foods:** tree sap, ants, beetles, flies, berries - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Quaking Aspen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quaking-aspen) (*Populus tremuloides*) — Relies on these aspen trees for its vital sap wells. - **Depends on:** [Rufous Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rufous-hummingbird) (*Selasphorus rufus*) — Hummingbirds visit sap wells made by sapsuckers for energy. - **Eaten by:** [Northern Goshawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-goshawk) (*Accipiter gentilis*) — Often preyed upon by this agile forest hawk. - **Eats:** Silky Ant (*Formica fusca*) — Consumes ants and other insects attracted to the sugary sap. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't disturb their homes. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red-naped Sapsucker? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Red-naped Sapsucker? 19-21 cm ### What is Red-naped Sapsucker's wingspan? 33-38 cm ### How much does Red-naped Sapsucker weigh? 0.032-0.06 kg ### How long does Red-naped Sapsucker live? 7-10 years ### How fast can Red-naped Sapsucker move? 45 km/h ### What does Red-naped Sapsucker eat? Red-naped Sapsuckers mainly drink tree sap and eat insects, enjoying a sweet and buggy meal! ### Where is Red-naped Sapsucker usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Barrio De Analco Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrio-de-analco-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Jackson Lake Lodge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jackson-lake-lodge) — Wyoming, US · Historic Site - [Telluride Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/telluride-historic-district) — Colorado, US · Historic District - [Gallup Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gallup-commercial-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Kelly's Camp Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kellys-camp-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Mount Fernie Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-fernie-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Red-naped Sapsucker](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/red-naped-sapsucker) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Red-naped Sapsucker: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-naped-sapsucker)